God is the Power

Matthew 21:18-23 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 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.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 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. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Saturday - April 11 - Read Matthew 21:18-23

I am going to give a silly illustration: if you put the plug of a lamp into

your ear will the lamp light up? How about if you put each prong in

your nostrils? Of course not! You do not produce power! God is the

source of ALL power and authority. Everything is derivative of Him.

Faith in Jesus is what keeps us plugged into the “power source.” The

religious leaders thought that by keeping religious laws they could

produce enough power to become righteous. However, Jesus came to

give it away! His power and authority is a free gift. It is not something

we can go and get. Jesus loves you and has come to give you the

“power” of forgiveness, mercy and love.