We find ourselves thinking about “unexpected” this week. And here’s an unexpected lesson on prayer from an unexpected stimulus:

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21.18 – 22, NIV)

Wow. Where to start? It’s unexpected that Jesus would curse a fig tree. Maybe we remember that the fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel and Jesus is pretty put out with Jews right now, especially their leadership.

“When I would gather them,” declares the LORD, “there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.” (Jeremiah 8.13, ESV)

And the prayer lesson is unexpected, too.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21.21 – 22, NIV)

What to do with these two verses? The prosperity gospel people have built a whole industry around them. But “it” doesn’t seem to work for most of us. That is, unless none of us has “enough faith.” It works, but we don’t know how to work it?

Maybe we should try putting it into practice whether we understand it or not. After all, it’s not the only time Jesus said it:

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16.24, ESV)

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15.7, ESV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15.16, ESV)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14.12 – 14, ESV)