Read Matthew 21:18–22
Questions from the Scripture text: What was Jesus doing in the morning (v18)? What issue arose? What did He see (v19)? What did He find on it? What did He say to it? What happened to it? Who saw it (v20)? What effect did this have upon them? What did they say? Who answered (v21)? What did He say to them they should have? And what should they not do? Then what will they say—not to the fig tree, but to what? And what will happen? What else may they do (v22)? In what manner? And what will happen?
Why would Jesus curse a fig tree? Matthew 21:18–22 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus teaches His apostles that His almighty power is with them in their preaching and their praying.
It was not the season for figs (cf. Mk 11:13), but Jesus spots a tree already in its foliage (v19). It has the appearance of giving Him what He desires in His hunger (v18). When Jesus curses it, it is not the spiteful revenge of a man controlled by his physical appetite. What is on Christ’s mind is the fruit that Israel should have borne unto God (v13, cf. Isa 56:7), but Israel has failed to give the Lord the fruit that His loving care and provision ought to have produced (cf. Isa 5:1–7).
Jesus’s response in v19 is for the disciples’ observation in v20a. Little could they know, at this point, that they were the agents for raising up unto the Lord a fruitful Israel. Nations rage, and they move kingdoms (cf. Ps 46:a), but what can this motley group of unimpressive men do? They are the mouths out of which the voice of God will utter His voice (v6b). God is in the midst of them (v5); YHWH of hosts is with them (v7).
Jesus triggers the response of the disciples’ marveling in v20, in order to exhort them about their own preaching and praying ministry. They are to believe in Him without doubting (v21). They are to believe in the One Whose words can control all creation. And they are to speak as His agents: “if you say.” “This mountain” is not some generic mountain. It is the temple mount, the fruitless tree that is being replaced by the temple of Christ’s own body and His church. And it is the apostolic preaching of the cross, through which Jesus will accomplish this.
Add to this preaching ministry their praying ministry: Jesus is YHWH of hosts with them to give everything necessary for their mission. He will build His church; He will be with His church; He will provide for His church; and, the gates of Hell will not prevail against them!
By this preaching, Christ continues to build His church today. He continues to do almighty work by the preaching of His Word. And He continues to hear the praying of His people and give them everything necessary for pulling down all the powers that oppose His church. He continues to be in the midst of His people, for His praise in His church. Attend upon that preaching. Avail yourself of that praying. Trust in Christ, and see and enjoy His glorious work in the church!
What use do you make of the almighty power of Christ exercised in the preaching of the Word? And what use do you make of the almighty power of Christ exercised in and through prayer? What are you trusting Him to do with His church, and all of their/His enemies?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for being in the midst of us to build Your church by Your power. We believe; help our unbelief. Give us to exercise faith in You, attending upon the preaching of Your Word and being constant in prayer for all that is needed for the building of Your church. Exercise Your almighty power among us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”