The Privilege and Opportunity of Asking
Matthew 21:18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” 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. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
I have heard this passage preached on so many times before and every time it seemed as though the take away the preacher wanted me to have was how I needed to bear fruit, or else I might be cursed to wither and die.
But that is not the objective Jesus sought to teach His disciples with.
Jesus was using this occurrence to teach His disciples about the power of asking in faith. He is revealing a caring, loving and willing Father.
This did not happen so we could spend countless hours speculating on what it means to speak to move mountains or command trees to wither. It is simply a lesson on how powerful asking in faith can be.
God is a very great God who loves us according to His greatness and according to the love He is. He is not insulted by our asking for His help and intervention into our many life situations.
In my belief, He can be insulted when I act as though I must look out for His well being. He is insulted when I treat Him as though He were aging, moody and becoming incapable and therefore should not be asked for certain things.
We have been invited to ask often, ask boldly and ask without shame or hesitation because we are asking in faith. Jesus said very clearly that whatever things we ask in prayer, believing, we will receive.
This believing is not rooted in a faith for the receiving alone, it is rooted in what we have come to know about our Father who hears us. It is why it is so important to know Him correctly as Jesus presented Him. Jesus is revealing the Father’s interest, His desire and His willingness in this moment.
The real question is, will we believe what Jesus is revealing is actually true concerning the Father, or will we look for ways to talk ourselves out of it?
Today I want to ask my Father for something bold and daring knowing that He loves me and cares for me and wants to bless me. He was already willing to give up His Son to save me and bring me into relationship with Him. So why should I imagine He would all of a sudden be taken back if I were to believe He was interested in some of the smaller matters of life I face?
I want to be bold in asking about everything, especially the matters pertaining to His kingdom. This is my take away from this teaching my Lord and Savior Jesus gave. I have some things I need Him to get involved with that is happening right now in my life.
May I encourage you to believe in His goodness and willingness, and to ask the Father for His help today? May I encourage you to ask boldly and specifically so it will be clear to you that He heard your prayer and answered it?
