COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 123
“ Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him, Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
(Mark 11:20-24; Matthew 21:20-22)
THE POTENCY OF REAL FAITH
INTRODUCTION
En route to His appointment with the death He would “accomplish,” Jesus has confronted several things that could have proved to be distractions. The disciples had disputed among themselves bv the way (9:33-37). Then John told Him they had seen a man casting out demons, and told him to stop (9:38-50). Then there were the Pharisees who tried to trap Him in a question (10:2-12). The disciples had tried to discourage mothers from bringing their children to Jesus (10:12-16).Then He confronted a rich young ruler who wanted eternal life, but not enough to forsake all (10:17-31). James and John had asked to be seated at His right and left hands in His Kingdom (10:35-45). Then He found an impressive fig tree that had nothing but leaves (11:12-14). Finally, He had cleansed the Temple of defiling influences (11:15-17). In each of these Jesus took time to instruct His disciples, opening to them the manner of the Kingdom. Some of the teaching was rather extensive. View these confrontations as hindrances thrown in His path, to turn Him from His mission. He did not ignore any of these incidents, even making special observations to His disciples concerning each of them. All of this was done on the way to lay down His life as a ransom for many. Now He will teach the disciples, following their observation of the withering of the fig tree He had cursed. Behold the versatility, wisdom, and eagerness of the Savior! Let them testify to you how eager He is to save and bring you to glory. God has given us a gracious and aggressive Savior!
DRIED UP FROM THE ROOTS
“ Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away.”
IN THE MORNING. Jesus and His disciples are now returning from Bethany to Jerusalem. He had entered into Jerusalem in the triumphal entry (11:7-10). He entered into the Temple and looked around (v 11a). He took His disciples back to Bethany (v 11b). He returned the next day to Jerusalem, cursing the fig tree on the way (v 12-14). Upon entering the Temple, He cleansed it of those who bought and sold, together with animals and doves (v 15-17). When evening came, He went out of the city, returning to Bethany (v 19; Matt 21:17). Now, Jesus is coming back to Jerusalem, and will enter the Temple again. Thus, we have covered a three day period, with two nights being spent in Bethany. Following the accounts of Matthew (Matt 21:1-46), Mark (Mk 11:1-33), and Luke (Lk 19:28-48), you will find each day was filled with intense activity.
Thus, we are again introduced to an active, aggressive, and determined Savior. He is always moving forward toward His objective. He deals with anything and everything He encounters. He is totally intolerant of sin. He is intent upon His disciples learning. He will not be diverted from His purpose. This is the real Jesus, and He brings all of these qualities to bear upon our salvation. That is, salvation will be worked out within the context of these Divine characteristics. If, in our participation, we are slothful, undetermined, not moving forward, not handling what confronts us, tolerant of sin, not eager to learn, or easily turned away from God’s great salvation, to some extent we are not abiding in Christ, and He is not dwelling within us. I do not know how a person could support the idea that the Christ revealed in the Gospel is at work in a person who himself has pervasive and unchecked tendencies that are at a sharp variance with the very nature of Christ. This is why believers are admonished to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).
THEY SAW THE FIG TREE. On the way back to Jerusalem, Jesus takes His disciples past the fig tree that He had cursed. It is His manner to give people an occasion to reconsider what He has done, and to think upon its implications. When Jesus cursed the fig tree, He did not uproot it, removing it from sight. He left it there in a withered and dead condition so all could see – a tree that was all leafed out the previous day.
Similarly, the landscape of humanity is cluttered with spiritual carcases – people who once had some interest in the Lord, and “believed for a while” (Lk 8:13). Yet, in due time, they “departed from the faith” (1 Tim 4:1), or returned like a “sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Pet 2:22). What has happened in such cases? Looking behind the scenes we will find that such people were not abiding in Christ, and thus were not bearing fruit. As Jesus said He would, God has cast them forth and they withered (John 15:6). Their perpetually fruitless condition, even though they had religious leaves, brought judgment upon them, just as surely as the fig tree was cursed. The life of God will not remain in lethargic souls. It is not our business to judge whether certain individuals have been removed or not, for we cannot see if some “little faith” may be found in them. However, it is our business to know that this is a Divine manner, taught in doctrine, and exhibited in our text.
DRIED UP FROM THE ROOTS. Because the life-giving sap of that fig tree did not produce fruit, the source of the life was cut off – “from the roots.” The tree could not survive with dead roots! It could not even produce leaves when its roots dried up.
This is also the manner of spiritual life. Considered as a plant, its roots must be living and productive. Viewed from the standpoint of a building, the foundation must be sure. This consideration caused the Psalmist to say, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psa 11:3). A destroyed foundation is like dried roots. It makes productivity and fulfillment impossible. One of the great weaknesses of contemporary religion is its lack of foundation or roots. Generally speaking, the people are not being “rooted and grounded” (Eph 3:17). Unless that condition is satisfactorily addressed, it is only a matter of time until their roots will be dried up, and fruitfulness will become an impossibility – just as with the fig tree. As tragic as it is, there appear to be very few people who realize the gravity of this condition.
BEHOLD! The disciples see the fig tree in its withered condition. Matthew says “they marveled” at “how soon” it withered (Matt 21:20). Mark reveals that Peter spoke for them all, telling Jesus that the fig tree He cursed had, in fact, withered. Now, when Jesus spoke to the tree, He did not say He was cursing it. He did not say it would wither. He rather said no man would ever eat fruit from it. Being consigned to fruitlessness is a curse. Peter was alert to hear what Jesus said, and was quickly aware of the tree. A lot of significant lessons are missed by simply being dull, slow of heart, and not beholding what is happening around us. If the whole earth is full of God’s glory (Isa 6:3), we cannot afford to be “slow of heart” (Lk 24:25).
HAVE FAITH IN GOD!
“ 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
JESUS SAID TO THEM. Peter did not ask a question, he made an observation. Jesus, however, answered his observation. Peter made the statement, but Jesus answered, delivering a word to all of them. We learn from this that Jesus is not passive about our remarks. Our words are duly noted, and will bring a response from Him. We must never think of Jesus as a mere listening post to hear us spout our opinions and observations. We also learn that what Jesus says is not limited to the individual. While Jesus does deal with us personally, it is always within the greater context of His body – the church – and His “eternal purpose.”
HAVE FAITH IN GOD. Other versions read, “have the faith of God,” DOUAY/GENEVA/ LITX/MKJV “have confides in God,” TNT “have faith of God,” YLT “Take hold of God’s faithfulness,” MONTGOMERY and “have faith in God [constantly].” AMPLIFIED The literal translation is “have faith God” – or “faith toward God” (Heb 6:1). There is more in this phrase than meets the eye. For example, the word “have” comes from a word meaning”hold, keep, seize, have as one’s own, possess.” THAYER “Faith” is a noun, not a verb. It is not synonymous with the word “believe.” Technically, a person can only believe if they have faith – and faith is “obtained” (2 Pet 1:1). In this case, “the faith of God,” that is, the faith that is toward God, is the faith that is authored by God. That is the faith – the only faith – that is supported by His omnipotence. If this is not the case, then you have omnipotence devoted to something of human origin. The possibility of such an imagination will be most difficult to support because “no good thing” can come from “the flesh,” or the “natural man.”
It seems to me that Jesus is preparing His disciples for the coming events. Like the fig tree withered, so Israel and Jerusalem would wither under the judgment of God, for they were barren like that useless fig tree. When that time came, the disciples would have to trust that God was in charge of things, and rely upon His wisdom and sustaining grace.
Also, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6) – either in fruitbearing itself, standing firm in the time of trouble, or launching out upon the sea of God’s perceived will. Here is a requirement that has no value in a purely institutional setting. That is because men cannot capitalize upon faith for their own gain. They must always have a self-conceived procedure to do that. That is why false preachers and teachers major on methods.
SAY TO THIS MOUNTAIN. This was no doubt the Mount of Olives, which was close at hand. Here Jesus establishes the invincibility of faith. He describes faith as being exhibited when one “shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass.” That is certainly not an exhibit of the human will – like making up your mind. There is no arena in which faith is not triumphant. This is because faith is discerning as well as powerful, and in strict accord with the will of God.
If the disciples have true faith, they will not only“do this which is done to this fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be DONE” (Matt 21:21). This text cannot be blended with Proverbs 18:21, as some present preachers are affirming: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). Here the power is not in what is said, or in the tongue, but in the faith –a faith that does not doubt. That, and that alone, is why “those things which he saith shall come to pass.”
Witches and those who embrace the occult often boast of being able to move objects about with their inner power. And, indeed, there have been impressive displays of such things from time to time – like the Egyptian magicians turning their rods into serpents (Ex 7:12), turning water into blood (Ex 7:22-22), and bringing frogs upon the land (Ex 8:7). Their power ran out, however, as they could not duplicate the plague of the lice (Ex 8;18). Divine power is not merely for display, or making fleshly impressions. It is always driven by purpose, for the glory of God. Should God’s “will” require casting the Mount of Olives into the sea, and the disciples had faith in God,” He would have accomplished that will through them.
HE SHALL HAVE WHAT HE SAYS. He will have what he says because he “did not doubt in his heart,” but believed that the things he said would “come to pass.” Matthew says they would be “done.” “Done” by whom? Such a work must be perceived in the same way Jesus perceived His own marvelous works. “the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works” (John 14:10). Faith put the person in harmony with the Lord.
There is no ceiling to faith – the faith that was “delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). It is invincible because it comes from and is associated with the Living God. It brings to the individual the mind of Christ as well as the power of God, thus enabling them to please God in what they think, say, and do. Faith has a pervasive quality that purifies the heart (Acts 15:9).
DESIRING, PRAYING, AND BELIEVING
“ 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Matthew reads, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matt 21:22).
Jesus now associates faith with prayer – not merely speaking: “when ye pray.” Matthew reads, “whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer.” The authority, then, is not invested in the believer himself, as some allege. Otherwise, there would be no need to pray. This should not be difficult to receive, because, so far as man is concerned, “we see not yet all things put under him” (Heb 2:8). Lest anyone question that the power of faith is, in this case, primarily associated with prayer, Jesus says, “THEREFORE I say unto you.” That is, in view of what He had said concerning the power of faith, He proceeds with this instruction.
DESIRING. Notice that Jesus does not say, “Whatsoever you say.” He speaks first of “desire.” This is not speaking of a mere inward thought, but of an EXPRESSED desire – one put into words that are addressed to the Father. Other versions clarify this thought by using the word “ask in prayer.” The idea is not that of desiring, or wanting, something to happen, but of desiring something from God. Thus the Psalmist wrote, “All my desire is before Thee” (Psa 38:9), and “One thing have I desired of the Lord” (Psa 27:4). A “desire” without God at the heart of it is nothing more than lust or covetousness. It is further written, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psa 37:4).
Desires must be purified before they are recognized by “the God of all flesh” (Jer 32:27). It would be exceedingly difficult to establish that God is interested in the dreams and wishes of people who are not wholly devoted to Him. That may sound good tom some, but it is not true.
PRAYING. Thus, the “desire” is expressed in prayer to God. This means there is a lively sense of personal impotence in the one framing the prayer – else he would simply speak or do the thing that is desired. There is no aspect of salvation that does not require faith. Likewise, there is no valid quest or desire that can be legitimately sought apart from dependency upon and faith in the Lord. There are even needs of which we are not cognitively aware – when we “know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Rom 8:26). It is then that the Holy Spirit “maketh intercession for us” in “groanings too deep for words.” NASB What does all of that mean? Simply that there is no sense in which we are independent of the Lord. All of the resources are not deposited in us, else we would not need to desire or pray. Both desire and prayer confirms that there are needs that are not presently met, and benefits that are not presently possessed. That is just a fact of spiritual life, and it will remain as long as we are in the body.
BELIEVING. Praying is not a mechanical exercise in which something like magical words or formulae are uttered. In order for prayer to be effective, believing is essential. Our text says, “when ye pray, believe that ye shall receive them” – i.e. the things you desire. Is this nothing more than an exercise of the human will? Your very experience will confirm that is emphatically not the case. This is not the power of positive thought. It is not a strong desire that brings the answer, but a strong faith.
By it’s very nature, believing must be based upon some word from God. As used in this text, for example, it is not possible to believe God for a newer and bigger car, for God has made no commitment to grant such things. Nor, indeed, can you simply believe God for perfect health, for God has made no promise pertaining to the health of those in Christ. However, that does not mean faith cannot be associated with such requests. They must be approached indirectly. Believing in the sense of this text will make an association between the thing asked for and what God has revealed. In some way it must connect with the good, and acceptable, perfect will of God. Your “cause” must be produced before God, building it upon sound reasoning concerning the promises of God. Your desire must have some association with what God is doing in Christ Jesus. If you can make that association, then “believing” can be associated with your prayer.
It is to be understood that there are some prayers that are confined to the category of “requests.” In these, there a clear association with the will of God cannot be seen. Yet, if your ways please the Lord, and He takes delight in you, He may grant your request – like Lot being able to go to a nearby city (Gen 19:20-22). There is a promise associated with such petitions: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). In this case, believing has to do with obtaining the peace that will stabilize the heart, rather than the request that is desired.
It seems to me that it is on the part of wisdom to so culture our appetites and desires that we do not have a lot of this category of wants. To be sure, when care, or undue concern begins to enter out hearts, we must take the matter to the Lord, knowing that He will keep us from being unduly distracted. In due time, however, we will find ourselves less troubled by life.