Fig Tree Discourse part 1: Answering Things

And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:14

The context of this verse is really tied to verse 13 which says, “And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.”

One may first ask that if “the time of figs was not yet” then why did the master expect to see figs? Background study shows that the fig tree produces two types of figs: One, the early fig (also referred to as “winter” or “green” figs) called “paggim” which were a smaller fig produced on the strength of nutrients left in the branch during the winter, and the second was the full fig which was produced later after the leaves. So, ultimately, although it was not time for the “full” figs, if it had leaves it was communicating that it at least had early figs.

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In future sections we will discuss overall faith building insights concerning this, but for now, let us focus on the fact that Jesus “answered” the fig tree. This “answered” comes from the Hebrew word that means “to begin to respond”. This is not to say that the fig tree verbally spoke to Him, but it was communicating untruth. The Word of God is truth. Believers ARE what it says we are even if it does not yet appear. At creation we were told:

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen 1:28

The key word here is “subdue” which means to “bring into order”. Yet, how can mankind bring THE EARTH into order? Well it starts with the same way in which our God created it… by words of authority and faith, and we were made in His image and likeness. Believers are Kingdom citizens that are authorized to take dominion to subdue and bring order. The process of accessing the already-prepared, grace empowerment of God to perform this begins with not just answering people (1 Peter 3:15) but also answering things. Oh yes, your wallet may speak lack to you. Your body may speak pain to you. The weather may speak threats to you. Your neighborhood may speak fear to you. Your job may speak stress and uncertainty to you. To change and deal with this, beloved, is not God’s job. He, through the finished, redemptive works of His son Jesus, has already supplied ALL we need to see change in this world and He expects us to believe, walk in and overcome by His spirit and anointing. His word reveals what is His will and what we should be praying and declaring. The Master spoke and took authority over trees, storms, wind, waves and just when the disciples where about to “marvel” and get impressed about how the fig tree dried up and died after Jesus cursed it, He took it further and dropped this on them:

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. Matthew 21:21

Last note, it’s funny how many people are familiar with “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17) and yet have not grasped the rest of the verse which says “and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Whatever it or they say to you, meditate on and speak out what the master said concerning it. This is not just about you but preparing an environment for His word and will to go forth as well as an environment for His eminent return for those that believe.

Precious, powerful God our Father, We delight in the very mention of your name. It is above all others and worthy to be praised. By your spirit and grace, you have given us power and authority in the Earth to speak forth Your truth AND EXPECT to see what we say. We recognize that this does not mean that we name and claim whatever we feel we want, but to declare the good that you already have for us. We receive the spirit of boldness, courage, bravery, and resistance to speak to our bodies, our finances, our streets, temptations, fears and anything else that lies against the truth. Thank You for teaching us that we can subdue circumstances and answer things. Regardless of what we may face or go through, thank you for reminding us that with You, we win. With You, we overcome. We will answer things. In the name of Yahshua (Jesus), we pray.

In the name of Yahshua (Jesus), in whom I move, breathe, and have fullness of being, I declare that I am blessed, not cursed. I am healed, not sick. I shall live, not die. I shall stand, not fall. I shall see abundance, not lack. I am strong, not weak. World, you don’t define me. Flesh, you don’t control me. Satan, you don’t advise me. I am a child of the Most High God and a citizen of the Kingdom of God. I don’t go by what it looks like. I go by what my Father declares it is. His word is truth and the fullness of the truth is seen in, on, and through me – more and more – day by day. I refuse to give up, cave in, or quit.

2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 3:2; Matthew 21:21