SOUNDING OUT:
Establishing the Law of Believing (Part 1 of 2)

  The law or principle of believing is what allows us to live as more than conquerors in this world. Mark 11:23,24 capsulizes that great truth.

  If you want power in your life say what the Word says. Confession of the Word yields receipt of confession. If you will confess with your mouth at the same time that you confess in your heart what The Word says, you will have power. Your prayers will be answered as you apply these keys in your life by doing as it says here. The law of believing allows us to appropriate God’s power in our lives. That requires that I get my mouth and my heart coordinated on some point that is confirmed by The Word. Then I will have power with God.

  Let’s look at the context of these great scriptures and see how Jesus Christ demonstrated and taught the law of believing to his disciples twice within a period of about an hour. As we do we will see that when looking at the incidents with the fig trees we will see that though similar, they are not identical. We will see that Jesus Christ established this law or principle of believing for his disciples, demonstrating it as he lived and following up with teaching so his disciples would not miss the import and impact of this great truth.

  We can never hear the great truths of the Bible too frequently. Repetition is still one of the greatest aids to learning, and the grade school concept of show and tell still is valuable when impressing upon the mind truths that need to be retained and lived.

  This happened after leaving Bethany and before arriving in Jerusalem. As they approached the fig tree, while it was still far away Jesus thought it appeared to be fine. He knew it wasn’t time for ripe figs, but he anticipated finding buds on it, which he knew would make a nice snack. However, when he arrived at the tree he found nothing on it except leaves.

  Although from a distance it appeared to be productive and flourishing, when he got there he found it had no buds. No buds now, meant no fruit later. But what’s the big deal, and why is it even mentioned in the narrative.

  It is important to remember that the Bible is an Eastern book with customs and mannerisms of Eastern people. Fig trees were public trees, and it was permissible for people to help themselves to its fruit. It was common for travelers to pick fruit from roadside trees. (The Land and the Book, London: Thomas Nelson, 1863, p. 350).

  The Companion Bible has some wonderful notes on the fig tree. The fig tree represented Israel much like the bald eagle represents the United States of America. Biblically the fig tree was associated with Israel’s status before God. When Israel as a nation was flourishing so would the fig trees. When Israel came upon bad times, it could be noted in how the fig trees suffered. God was showing Jesus through the imagery of the fig tree that Israel was not doing well. She was barren and not budding with fruit. God was showing Jesus that from this point forward there would be no more fruit coming from the nation of Israel as a whole.

  In the face of the rejection and unbelief of Israel, Jesus responded with believing and resolve to carry out his Father’s plan. Jesus immediately responds and acts decisively. He speaks directly to the tree.

  “Answered and said” is a Hebrew idiom. He was not literally asked a question to which he said something in return. The phrase is used to emphasize that there is a cause for what is said, and it directs our attention to the context to supply the meaning for the type of speech that occasions its use. [See the Companion Bible note on Deuteronomy 1:41 and FOS page 838 for more information.]

  He is addressing the fig tree. Whatever has transpired here in Jesus’ heart issues in him speaking directly to the tree. He didn’t whisper or talk under his breath in scorn. He didn’t mumble or mutter or complain about his situation. He wasn’t whining and angry at the tree. He spoke directly to the tree, and he spoke loudly enough for the disciples to hear what he said. Although it does note that his disciples heard what he said, they didn’t understand what was going on, at least, not yet. And, Jesus is going to wait before he explains it. Well, they continue on their journey until they arrive at Jerusalem and enter the temple.

  The overthrow of the table of the moneychangers is important for the chronology of these records, and we will read it again in Matthew later. Things had gotten totally out of hand. God had not set up the temple to function in this way. The moneychangers converted the Roman and Greek money into Hebrew coins, because the Roman and Greek money had images and inscriptions on them. The Hebrews were not to make any images. Remember Jesus’ statement to those who questioned him about taxes?

  According to Matthew 21:17 they returned to Bethany.

  What a point of observation and awareness by Peter. He’s putting things together. He has seen believing action and its result. “Curse” does not mean that Jesus said, “You blankety, blank, blank tree.” It doesn’t mean that he spoke a VOODOO incantation. Peter is referring to what Jesus did in verse 13 when he said, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter, forever.” Jesus spoke to the tree, and Peter is amazed at what happened as a result. Jesus spoke the judgment of God regarding the fig tree by revelation, and what he said came to pass overnight. This was not a purposeless act of intemperance, but rather a strong object lesson that his disciples needed to learn. Jesus takes this occasion of Peter’s excited declaration to teach him and the other disciples the great principle of faith or law of believing. This miracle served as a perfect visual aid for an important lesson Jesus wanted to teach them.

  Yes, this is literally true. If God would ever tell us to do such a thing we would absolutely know it could be done. However, I think there is a bigger application to the spirit realm. Mountains are used figuratively in the scriptures of difficult paths in life, obstacles, and other difficulties.

  Understanding the figurative usage of “mountain” would communicate how there is no devilish influence or stronghold that cannot be cast down and removed. I believe it literally is true should we ever be told to move a mountain, but in application, the mountains we get to move or remove are usually strongholds of the adversary in our lives and in the lives of others to whom we minister.

  What was the mountain Jesus Christ was facing? What did God show him through the fig tree? God showed him that Israel would reject him… that Israel had become unfruitful. How did he respond? He didn’t become despondent and morose. He didn’t withdraw and go hide out in a cave. He responded aggressively by speaking God’s Word to the fig tree and teaching his disciples the law of believing he operated and that they, too, would need to learn to operate to destroy the works of the devil like he did.

  You better be able to answer that same question. If the devil had these people challenge Jesus, do you think he will let you go unchallenged? You better recognize the authority Jesus operated as God’s son or you will never learn to do as he did. When we speak God’s Word, God’s creation must respond. (Isaiah 55:11)

  That is the record in Mark concerning the fig tree. What day did Jesus speak to the first fig tree? It was the tenth of Nisan when he drove those that sold out of the temple. Where was it located? Between Bethany and Jerusalem. Who noticed what happened? Peter. On what day did he notice it? The morning of the 11th.
Let’s read the account in Matthew. Matthew 21 adds some interesting and complimentary information. The morning of the 11th of Nisan is in verse 18, but let’s go back to verse 12 and pick up some other details.

  In the symbolism of the Scriptures, a fruitless, withered tree was worthy of nothing more than being cut down (Luke 13:7). When it comes to vegetation, withering usually happens after the plant is cut down. Usually firewood has to sit for a season before being used.

  The withering of the fig tree was indeed atypical. These two similar eliminations of the fruitless fig trees made quite a point.

  Could the fig tree in Mark be the same fig tree that is in Matthew?

     How long does it take to walk two miles? Less than an hour maybe? That’s how far Bethany is from Jerusalem. Within an hour Jesus repeats the miracle. In case they missed it the first time, he established the teaching with a second “show and tell” demonstration.

  God was showing Jesus that Israel was not doing well. They would not receive him or his testimony. They had rejected the king and the kingdom, and God was preparing Jesus’ heart for what was to come… his rejection… his betrayal. However, like Habakkuk in days of old, Jesus did not personally succumb or cave in. In the face of Israel’s rejection of him he chose to believe God and move ahead.

  A hind is a mother deer, one of the most sure-footed animals in the world. When she goes up the side of a mountain with her young following her, she takes her back feet and places them exactly where her front feet were first placed to test for loose stones on the slope. If she did not test that rocky incline with her front feet, the loose stones would cause her to slip and fall down into the ravine below. This exact tracking means life both to the hind and to her young.

  It says, "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet.” We only have two feet not four, but the imagery of the hind still applies. God makes it so that I may learn to walk by the Word so that my "hind feet" (representing my two feet) will track with my "front feet” (representing God’s Word). Thus, where The Word has set its feet, there also will I put my feet. I will go up the mountain- side as each step I take follows in the tried and proven solid ground of God’s Word. The path God’s Word sets – we follow. That’s how we get to higher ground. We can walk in the steps of Abraham, the Father of believing. We can also walk as Jesus Christ walked like I John 2 declares. Don’t forget John 14:12!