Today's Scripture:

Mark 11:20-33 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
It must have been a lot to take in. Within just a few days Jesus’ disciples had seen and heard so much. One morning, Jesus cursed a fig tree for not having any fruit, and by the next morning that tree was dead, withered from its roots. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, people welcomed Him with hosannas and blessings and branches waving. Jesus had overturned the tables of the merchants and money-changers in the temple and chastised them. And after all that, Jesus continued to teach in the temple, and the people continued to be amazed and to follow Him. I mean, wow! How did the disciples not spend all their time just asking questions? Then we see the chief priests and teachers of the law, fearful and defensive, confronting Jesus with a question intended to trick him in front of his followers. If what they wanted to do was learn from him, it seems like they could have come up with way better questions.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
Just this week I found myself searching for answers for some of my own questions: What’s the difference between a sport coat and a blazer? How can I tell an alligator from a crocodile? Did I use Algebra today? And am I really expected to move a mountain? Like, a mountain? If so, how could I believe it was possible and not doubt? And is this even the right question? What if I focused on those other things Jesus mentioned?: Have faith in God. Pray, ask, and believe. Forgive, and accept forgiveness.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
I think I’m not going to worry about moving mountains until I’m called to do so. I think I’m going to start with asking better questions and seeking good answers. What does it look like to have faith in God? What does it take to pray, asking and believing without doubt? What can I do to forgive and be forgiven? “When is it time for moving a mountain? And when is it time to pray? Is this the time to forgive one another? And how will we know the way?”

About Steve Arnold:
I’m Steve Arnold, and I’m part of the Grace Music Team.
I help with Children's Ministries, Grace Kid’s Music, VBS, the Grace812 worship service, disaster recovery and other service projects when I can. I also work with special needs ministries at a couple of nearby churches. I’ve been at Grace since 1997.