FROM this action of Jesus in cursing the fig tree, the disciples were amazed. They witnessed the swift withering of the fig tree in a way supernatural. The withering and dying was contrary to the natural order of things. From the reply which Jesus gave to their question we can deduce that they were amazed at the power which Jesus demonstrated in this action of cursing, and the authority Jesus had over created things. What the disciples did not see so clearly was the revelation of Christ's divine nature, and that he was demonstrating that he was God and creator.

Jesus had revealed his deity and divine power throughout his ministry in all sorts of ways, but this incident seems to have impressed them more deeply for some reason. What is revealed to us is the power and authority that Jesus had as God over his creation. When the creator commanded, creation has to obey. We have the same thing demonstrated in John 21. Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets again, and they caught a multitude of fish, which had refused to be caught all the previous night. Jesus commanded the fish to be caught and they obeyed their creator even though it meant their death.

It is the reply that Jesus gave to the disciples that is both difficult and challenging. Jesus told them that they could demonstrate the same power if only they had faith that what they commanded would be done. The first question this raises in the mind is whether Jesus was making a general statement for all his disciples down the ages, or was his words addressed only to the twelve disciples who became the 12 apostles. If this is so then we see in the Acts of the Apostles how this power was indeed given them. They performed miracles and their preaching was marvelously effective. This is an easy way out in our understanding of what Jesus is saying here, and it is plausible, but it is not an understanding which immediately comes to mind, rather when we read these words of Jesus the strait forward meaning is that Jesus is speaking something relevant to all disciples of Jesus down the ages. Here is the difficulty that is presented to me at least.

What we need to understand is exactly what Jesus is saying. He is not saying that we have the power which is in our hands alone to exercise at will, but that we have access to the power of God which can be tapped into by faith. This is clear from verse 22 where Jesus makes it plain that this power is found through prayer, that is when it is asked for from God in faith.

The next question that is raised here is what does Jesus mean by moving 'this mountain'. I believe we can't deny that Jesus was speaking of the mount of Olives. He definitely says 'this mountain', and this is plainly referring to a mountain that was visible from where they all were. But what was Jesus conveying by this statement. To move a physical mountain seems pointless, without the fact that it would be dangerous. It seems to me that Jesus was at pains to point out and make clear that the faithful disciples has access to God's power which is limitless. Nothing is impossible to God. However I do believe that Jesus was encouraging his disciples to exercise faith, not on useless and foolish demonstrations of power, but that Jesus was using the mountain as an illustration, and had had in mind the monumental difficulties which the believer faces in their following of Jesus, and when we see these 'mountains' we have to climb in the service of Jesus, we must believe and realize that such difficulties can be overcome by the power of God, in answer to prayer.

To get hold of this truth is not easy, but it is something which when we do get hold of it and believe it, we can face the sufferings and difficulties which come to us in the service of Jesus, and know that the power of God is there and ready to make the way ahead smooth.

The key to such power is the exercise of faith in Jesus. In the first place let us not run away with the idea that faith is a power that we can work up. Faith is a gift from God. Jesus is not speaking of the quantity of our faith, but that we do have have faith, and do not doubt.

We can then see that the faith Jesus is speaking of is not faith in our own power and gifts, but is a faith that is in God. Having said this, difficulties still remain. No true disciple of Jesus doubts the power of Jesus as the Son of God and one with the Father. We know that all things are possible for him. The difficulty rises, not in having the power, but the willingness of Jesus to exercise his power in response to our request for a difficulty to be overcome. If we have no doubt as to Jesus' power to do all things, doubt raises its head when it comes to whether Jesus is willing to exercise his power. It is here that we need to be totally honest with ourselves and before God. Doubt in this direction can feed on our sense of unworthiness which we may be feeling due to our consciousness that a sinner like me can't expect Jesus to show his love and but rather his rebuke or even chastisement.