Faith That Bears Fruit

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:22–24 (NIV)

In Mark 11, Jesus does something that initially seems startling. Hungry from travel, He approaches a fig tree in leaf. Though it’s not the season for figs, the tree’s appearance suggests it might bear early fruit. But it’s barren. In response, Jesus says, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” (v. 14). Later, the disciples are amazed to see the tree withered to its roots.

Was this a moment of frustration? A lapse in patience? Not at all. Jesus isn’t throwing a tantrum—He’s enacting a parable. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the fig tree often symbolizes Israel (Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13). This tree, full of leaves but empty of fruit, becomes a living symbol of spiritual pretense—of outward religiosity without inward transformation.

This moment is intentionally placed before and after Jesus’ cleansing of the temple. Just as the fig tree looked alive but was barren, so too the temple had become a place of activity without true worship. Jesus is calling out the danger of appearances without substance—of faith that looks good from a distance but bears no fruit of justice, mercy, or love.

And then, in the very next breath, using this as a teaching moment, He turns to His disciples and says: “Have faith in God.” Not faith in systems. Not faith in appearances. But faith rooted in the living God. He goes on to say that such faith can move mountains (v. 23)—that when we pray with trust, believing we’ve received, it will be ours.

This is not a blank check for selfish desires. It’s a call to pray from a heart aligned with God’s purposes. The kind of faith Jesus commends is not performative—it’s participatory. It joins in God’s redemptive work. It bears fruit.

Take a moment today to examine your own “fig tree.” Are there areas where you’ve settled for looking fruitful without truly abiding in Christ? Bring those to God in prayer. Then, name one mountain you’re facing—and pray with bold, trusting faith, believing that God is already at work.

Lord, strip away the leaves of pretense in my life. Where I’ve settled for appearances, awaken me to deeper trust. Teach me to pray not just with words, but with faith that expects You to move. May my life bear the fruit of Your Spirit—love, joy, peace, and justice. And when I face mountains, remind me that You are greater still. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim