Mark 11. Jesus finally arrives in Jerusalem and visits the temple. In his walk to and from Bethany each day, he curses a fig tree (11:12-14). Lo and behold, the fig tree withers and dies (11:20-21). I am sure you are wondering why Jesus appears to have taken out his wrath on this poor fig tree, so let’s talk about it!

Remember the “Markan sandwich” we discussed in chapter five? Mark continues to use this literary technique – using the two blind men to bookend chapters eight and ten – and again in chapter eleven. He encounters the fig tree and curses it, then goes to the temple, throws out the money changers and declares it to be a house of prayer, and then we encounter the withered fig tree again. By using the fig tree as bookends on the temple clearing incident, Mark is telling us that the events are related.

Both the fig tree and the clearing of the temple are symbolic gestures related to Israel’s unfruitfulness and the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The fig tree represents the temple and the whole religious system. Note it is withered away to its roots (11:20) indicating that it is a dead tree, not simply a sickly one that could be nurtured back to health. While visiting the temple, Jesus finds that it has become a commercial enterprise and no longer serves its intended purpose as a house of prayer and place of worship. The destruction of the temple is a result of the nation’s unfaithfulness as a whole and, more specifically, her corrupt leadership. The fig tree’s problem is that it bears no fruit, and that is a problem related to Israel and her leaders. (More on that tomorrow!)

Jesus then turns the fig tree episode into a powerful lesson on faith and prayer (11:22-26). “Have faith in God,” he proclaims. “I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him…. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Jesus cites a common refrain throughout the New Testament that God answers prayer.

There is a clear connection between prayer, faith, and miracles in Mark’s gospel. Sometimes Jesus cannot do any work in an area or on a person because there is not enough faith. That’s why Jesus’ command here is “have faith in God”. The creator of the universe has infinite resources, pray and ask for his assistance.

Yet note that God is not a magic genie or some kind of heavenly Amazon delivery service. There are qualifications to this promise, better illustrated in other New Testament passages. We must ask according to God’s will (1 John 5:14), from a place of obedience and forgiveness. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed, “Not my will but yours be done” (Mark 14:36). Just know that if what you ask for is in alignment with God’s will, even the mountain (this mountain – the temple) can be thrown into the sea!

What are you asking God for today? Are you asking from a place of obedience and in humble alignment with his will? Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.