The Prophet’s Challenge

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” — Matthew 21:22 God shows his faithfulness by responding to the prayers of his people.In our reading today, a fig tree that does not bear fruit receives judgment from Jesus. The religious leaders ask Jesus about his authority, and he makes them uncomfortable by reminding them of the work of John the Baptist, a prophet who called everyone to repent (Matthew 3). A prophet is someone called by God to guide, comfort, and challenge people to follow the ways of God. John pointed people to Jesus by preparing them to receive him as the promised Savior, and Jesus pointed people to himself as the way to find full, eternal life with God.In the remainder of this week in which Jesus would give up his life for us, we see Jesus at work in the final hours of his ministry, teaching his disciples and urging everyone, including the religious leaders, to look inside their hearts, to repent, and to ask the faithful God for forgiveness. It’s the only way to find the life that God wants everyone to enjoy.Jesus’ interaction with the fig tree is a kind of object lesson showing that he wants the religious leaders to bear fruit as they are called to do—that is, pointing God’s people to repentance and faith rather than being concerned about their own authority and status.Jesus invites everyone to have faith. The gift of faith is for all who believe.Believe, receive, and live!  Lord Jesus, fill us with faith in you. May we be your witnesses and bear fruit because we are rooted in you. In your name we pray. Amen.