Dry Roots and Strengthened Faith

“Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.’ So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’

– Mark 11:20-22

The fig tree that withered from Jesus’ curse had a purpose. It was to illustrate some important lessons to His disciples. In his account, Mark points out that the fig tree “dried up from the roots.” This is an interesting picture of what may occur when we are not rooted and grounded in Christ (Colossians 2:7). Our lives may become fruitless for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven. Yet is this all we gain from Jesus’ sermon?  

Our Savior’s face was set like a flint to fulfill His call (Isaiah 50:7). Jesus held an unwavering determination to complete what seemed an impossible task; death on the Cross. With all of this in His mind, in the middle of the week of His passion, Jesus still made time to instruct His followers. What a friend we have in Jesus!

The withered tree that died one day was used as an illustration for His disciples the next. Jesus’ discourse surrounds having confidence in God and praying according to His will (Mark 11:22-24). What seems impossible for man is not impossible for the Lord. Having faith in God helps us deal with the problem of fruitlessness in our lives, and we can remove “mountainous obstacles” in our paths. With God, all things are possible. Yet the promise that all things are possible is only for those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior (Mark 9:23). And they are only possible when we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).

It could be today you are in a season of life where you feel like that withered tree, with no roots and fruitless. Maybe you think a “mountainous obstacle” in your path seems impossible to move. Do not allow these things to discourage you. It may be the Lord strengthening your faith in Him. The difficulties in your life today are strengthening your faith so that you can move mountains tomorrow!

“If disciples have faith in God, they can deal with the problem of fruitlessness, and remove mountainous obstacles.”

– W. MacDonald