It has been a while since I published. My wife and I went on a small vacation. After that, we have been making some lifestyle changes to our schedule on the railroad. This is still in flux and will be bringing constant confusion for a while. I am hoping to find a way to settle down my schedule so that we can have a normal life and so that I can start teaching on a more regular basis. Bear with me as I endeavor to make things better. I will pick up where we left off. If you need to refresh, please look at the history for the previous study. This chapter will be archived in its entirity.

Mark 11:22-26 Yeshua had a deeper meaning for the fig tree. It went beyond the meaning found in Jeremiah 8. Faith or acting according to the instructions of God is merely the beginning of action. Jeremiah prophesied against the people when they abandoned God’s instructions (torah). In the Greek language “faith” is a verb, not a noun. Therefore, putting faith into action is “faithing”. They misplaced their “faithing” or putting into action what they believed into false gods. The same problem takes place with those who follow God’s instructions as a religion.

If we merely follow and put into action our belief by living according to a set of standards, then we are living according to the instructions of God. However, we are not embracing the power of the Word of God. God’s instructions are a standard that we live life by. This is a given. Yeshua teaches a deeper truth from Jeremiah’s passage.

Faith is putting into action God’s word; it does not mean just living according to God’s word. Living according to God’s word is compliance. Faithing, or putting into action God’s word means that we live according to God’s word and put it into action. We are not compliant, but rather aggressive in our behavior.

“Have faith in God” indicates action based upon God. Pray expecting that God will answer in a powerful way. The Jewish people have a prayer called the “standing prayer”. Its official name is the Amidah. It is prayed twice daily at about 9AM and 3 PM. Yet, some pray the prayer three times daily. The prayer is packed with tremendous truth. Yet, it is a rote prayer that is prayed over and over. The action of faith is simply praying standing. This prayer is referred to when Yeshua instructs them on “standing praying” (Mark 11:25).

To summarize: Faith is not just complying with God’s instructions. It is putting the instructions into action by expectantly basing our convictions on what God’s word teaches. Yeshua demonstrated this by cursing the fig tree. Then allowing the disciples to observe the wilting of the fig tree and the fulfillment of prophecy. God’s instructions put into action is faith. Living according to God’s instructions as a way of life is compliance. Yeshua was teaching a deeper meaning. We can live successfully as God’s children simply by being obedient to His instructions. OR we can live in power by putting into action His word.

Application: Putting God’s word into action involves personal risk. It exposes us to the possibility that God will not answer our prayer. For example, suppose you are praying for someone who is having trouble in silence. In other words, your personal prayers are said for this person that God will deliver them from their problems. Then you watch secretly to see if God will answer the prayer. In many ways this is like praying the Amidah or standing prayer. You pray and wait to see if God will take action.

Person risk is involved when you approach the person who is having trouble and pray with them. Earnestly enter into prayer and call on God to remedy their needs. The application is as broad as the world of needs. Prayer is only the vehicle, what fuels the prayer is your knowledge that God will answer and you expect Him to answer. Now you are at personal risk that God may not answer the prayer.

One way to minimize personal risk is to follow Yeshua’s command. Sin is certainly blatant sin that includes all the bad habits that we fall into. Biblical sin is simply failing to live your life in compliance with God’s word. When we do not follow Torah, or God’s instructions, we are sinning. James puts it simply: If we know the right thing to do and do not do it, then we are sinning (James 4:17). Yeshua narrows it down even more (Mark 11:25-26). The last six commandments deal with personal relationships with other people. Failing to follow God’s commands damages personal relationships. When we have something against another person, we have failed to live according to those final six commandments in some way. This is the reason that it is vitally important to seek to heal broken relationships.

Mark 11:27-33 The standoff:  Yeshua is questioned by the scribes and elders regarding His authority to teach and heal. His answer is interesting, He catches them in a social dilemma. The people recognized John the Baptist as a prophet. The religious leaders did not. They were unwilling to admit that John was sent by God as a prophet. Yeshua left them with their answer. They did not believe in John, why would they believe in Yeshua if He made a statement? This is a springboard that will lead into the next chapter.