Day 11 of 21
How does one's faith move mountains?
When an amazed Peter noted to Jesus that the fig tree had withered, Jesus' response was simply that they should "have faith in God" (Mark 11.22). This was a gentle rebuke for the disciples' lack of faith in the power of His word. Such faith believes in God's revealed truth, His power, and seeks to do His will (see 1 John 5.14; Matt. 21.21).
The expression Jesus used, "this mountain…into the sea" (v. 23), was related to a common metaphor of that day, "rooter up of mountains," which was used in Jewish literature of great rabbis and spiritual leaders who could solve difficult problems and seemingly do the impossible. Obviously, Jesus did not literally uproot mountains. In fact, He refused to do such spectacular miracles for the unbelieving Jewish leaders (Matt. 12.38). Jesus' point is that, if believers sincerely trust in God and truly realize the unlimited power that is available through such faith in Him, they will see His mighty powers at work (see John 14.13, 14).
"Whatever thing you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them" (v. 24). This places no limits on a believer's prayers, as long as they are according to God's will and purpose. This therefore means that man's faith and prayer are not inconsistent with God's sovereignty. And it is not the believer's responsibility to figure out how that can be true, but simply to be faithful and obedient to the clear teaching on prayer, as Jesus gives it in this passage. God's will is being unfolded through all of redemptive history by means of the prayers of His people-as His saving purpose is coming to pass through the faith of those who hear the gospel and repent. See James 5.16.
Mark 11:23 NKJV
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
I John 5:14 NKJV
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Matthew 21:21 NKJV
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
Matthew 12:38 NKJV
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
John 14:13-14 NKJV
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
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