Why Miracles Happen?
Lesson Twenty: by turtle

Mark 11:1-6 KJV
(1)  And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of
Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
(2)  And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be
entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
(3)  And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and
straightway he will send him hither.
(4)  And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two
ways met; and they loose him.
(5)  And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
(6)  And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

I often find it hard to type the next lessons. Especially when they speak so readily to my own
heart. The disciples found themselves in a new territory in the since of obedience. Christ gave
them instructions to go and to do. Many prophets and teachers before where sent to do in the
name of the Lord. Each prophet, and teacher has to come to a place to obey rather then to
focus on what might not be. Everyone that learns to obey the Lord learns that they can trust
his instructions explicitly. His instruction will be accurate to the one that is obeying.

I think of Phillip going to speak to the Ethiopian found in Acts 8. He went out of obedience.  
Moses going back to Egypt to lead the people out to the promise land. Noah built an ark. All
these were courage in obedience. Taking a step of faith that is often hard for us to even to
begin to imagine. We tend to doubt and wonder how God will do things. Instead God wants us
to obey. Jesus was teaching the disciples obedience. It would be one of the last times he would
be with them to teach them this type of lesson. He would be going to the cross, in complete
submission to the Father’s will himself.  Christ does not ask us to do anything He himself
was not also willing to do.

Mark 11:12-14 KJV
(12)  And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
(13)  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.
(14)  And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his
disciples heard it.

I often wonder why Christ cursed the fig tree. In fact it seems sort of out of place. For even the
scriptures say that it was not time for the tree to bare fruit. Interesting enough the disciples
heard what Jesus said. It is almost like they took a mental note. When we walk with Jesus in a
personal relationship we often take a mental note of things that speaks to us whether it has a
reason or not. The other day I speaking to a bro in Christ. Sharing how God had used
something he said to remind me of my father. He told me he knew not my family. Yet his
words where only something that my family or my heavenly Father would of known. How
precious it is when our heavenly Father speaks to our hearts either by someone speaking or
singing, prayer or through the Holy Scriptures. God reminds us how special we are to Him.
This fig tree though it was cursed would be a light to a future lesson that Christ wish to
communicate with the disciples.

Mark 11:20-24 KJV
(20)  And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
(21)  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou
cursedst is withered away.
(22)  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
(23)  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed,
and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those
things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
(24)  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye
receive them, and ye shall have them.

The disciples are on the journey out of the city when they see the fig tree Christ cursed the day
before. Their reaction is amazing. I wonder what it was like when Moses threw the rod down
and it turned to a snake. It is the same type of thing for us. When Christ speaks to our hearts
to do something. And we willingly obey. If we are going to see mountains moved and cast to
the sea we are going to need faith. If we are going to see miracles happen we are going to need
faith. These lessons have been about why miracles happen. And this lesson is no different.
Some miracles teach us about faith. Teach us lessons in life. Teaches about the choice of
obedience. That if we speak in faith expect the impossible. We must always remember
everything spoken must be in the will of God. The disciples would not of gotten the donkey if
it had not been the will of Jesus. The fig tree would not of died if it was not the will of Jesus.
Jesus tells the disciples to ask in His name and it will be done. But we must put everything we
know in context of that statement. If we are out of the will of God it might not happen. If it
does happen we need to be warned there is consequences for our actions. Moses hit the rock
two many times. He would not go into the promise land alive. Yet we see simple truth of faith
through out the word. If one obeys God things happen. Listen to the Lord, and make sure
what you do in Jesus name is according to His will and not your own.