His betrayal, arrest, and death were on the horizon. Yet Jesus was still preparing the disciples for the mission that would follow. The day after His triumphal entry, Jesus cursed a fig tree for its lack of fruit. By the next morning it had withered to its roots. This was meant to be an object lesson, depicting God’s judgement on Israel for their hypocrisy.
But Jesus also uses the incredible act as a lesson about prayer. He commands the disciples, “Have faith in God.” How do we, His disciples today, exercise that faith? It’s through prayer. He uses the metaphor of moving a mountain to tell us of God doing the impossible when we pray. Through God’s power and will, He moves mountains in our lives—takes us through the cancer, walks with us through deep grief, sends comfort through neighbors or friends or family. He lifts up our withering hearts.
Easter is a time to celebrate God’s power to accomplish His purpose and God’s gift to forgive our sins. When we apply this to our prayers, the impossible becomes possible.