Matthew 21:18-22

18 Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry.

Who was it that was hungry? It was Jesus Christ, the unique God-man – the Creator of everything:

Colossians 1:13b-16

13 … His beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Notice that last phrase – all things have been created for Him! Everything is for His glory, and for His use. So He’s hungry…

19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; …

The tree was alive – it had leaves! But it had no fruit. What was the fig tree designed to do? It was designed to produce figs, or to bear fruit. It wasn’t just supposed to be alive and sit on the side of the road. It was designed by the Creator to provide food for people who were passing by. The tree was where it was supposed to be, but it wasn’t doing what it was designed to do.

…and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.

Remember the story of the man with the withered hand? It’s the same principle. The fig tree became shriveled and dry. It was no longer usable for the purpose it had been designed for.

Everything created by God (actually by the 2^nd Person of the Trinity, as we see above) has been designed for a purpose. It is there for the glory of Him who created it. Here comes the tough part:

Ephesians 2:10a

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, …

The same goes for us! We are HIS workmanship, created for a purpose. Are you where God wants you to be? Are you producing what He has designed you to produce? All it takes from you is a willingness to do what He wants you to do, and to be where He wants you to be! Or do you want to be the fig tree?

Now an application of what we saw last time: faith + prayer.

20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once?"

One thing strikes me here – why were the disciples amazed? Had they not seen Him perform many other miracles already? Did the not realize that He was the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe? The disciples were frequently amazed when they really shouldn’t have been! What about us? Why are we so surprised when God comes through for us? Hasn’t He promised it in His Word?

Notice Jesus doesn’t directly answer their question, but get right to the root of their problem:

21 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly 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 even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.

Not it might happen, or it could happen, but it WILL HAPPEN! Jesus was speaking here about a literal mountain, but the same principle applies to the mountains in your life. Why do we doubt Him? Why can’t we take Him at His word? Do we think He is unable to solve the problem? Don’t we recognize that He is the Creator of all? Do you think the size of our problem makes any difference to God? Is it any more difficult for God to cure cancer than it is for God to make a blister go away? Does He see $10 as any different from $1,000,000?

22 "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

It’s all a question of whether you have faith in God to fulfill your request. Is He able to? Of course! Did He promise to? Yes He did!

Then have a little faith in Him!