Moments before Fred Lorz of New York was to receive the gold medal for winning the 1904 Olympic marathon, he was disqualified for the prize. It was discovered he had ridden in a car for half the race! He admitted he had cramps after nine miles, rode in a car for the next eleven miles, and ran the final five miles to “victory.”

Matthew 21 – The Power of Faith in God

When Jesus reentered Jerusalem to cleanse the temple in Matthew 21, He saw a fig tree full of leaves. It was the time of year when fruit would be expected. Fig trees usually bear fruit before they bear leaves. Being hungry, He searched for figs but found none. “May you never bear fruit again,” He said. Jesus did not make the fig tree barren, but He sealed it in its own barrenness. The tree withered and died! It was disqualified faster than Fred Lorz!

Later, the disciples wondered in amazement when they saw the tree withered from the roots. What was He teaching them? First, Jesus was teaching the importance and power of absolute faith in God. He reminded the disciples they could receive whatever they requested in prayer if they had God-given faith. Certainly, God-given faith is only given for God’s purposes. Man’s presumptuous self-will is no substitute for faith, and it will not be honored.

Second, the fig tree was often symbolic of the Jewish nation. He cursed the tree for hypocrisy and fruitlessness. The leaves promised fruit, but the tree did not deliver. That generation of Israelites had a hypocritical, ritualistic religion but no fruit of righteousness. They rejected Him and brought a curse of blindness and hardness upon themselves! God’s judgment was near! Jerusalem was withering before their very eyes, and 40 years later, it would be “pulled up by the roots” by Titus, the Roman conqueror. Again, the Master Teacher never missed a good object lesson!

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete honor God with proper prayer and authentic worship by not compromising the marks of true spirituality.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:32

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