What Jesus Did! 'The Power of His Word' — Mark 11:20-21

Monday, August 15, 2016

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The next morning, Jesus was walking with his followers. They saw the fig tree {that Jesus spoke to the day before}. The fig tree was dry and dead, even the roots. Peter remembered the tree and said to Jesus, "Teacher, look! Yesterday, you told that fig tree to die. Now it is dry and dead!"
— Mark 11:20-21 NLT
Illustration of Mark 11:20-21 NLT — "Teacher, look! Yesterday, you told that fig tree to die. Now it is dry and dead!"

Key Thought

God spoke and the world was created. There is great power in the words of God! Jesus comes as God's presence among us. His words have great power. He speaks and the demons are cast out, the leprosy is healed, the storm is stilled ... and the fruitless are cursed and wither. What is the difference between fearing the words of Jesus and embracing them? The answer is in who we believe Jesus is and how much influence we let him have over our lives. Jesus' power to condemn is often forgotten in our desire to have a soft and winsome Savior to offer a hostile and lost world. However, the Cross—the awful and hideous cost to God—is not only a symbol of grace, but also a demand for decision. The voice we hear when Jesus speaks will be largely determined by what we do with his words in our lives today. Which voice of Jesus will you hear?

Today's Prayer

O Father, thank you for the confidence I have in Jesus. I am confident that the Lord to whom I have yielded my life will keep and honor all that I have entrusted to his grace. I long to hear his voice of welcome and to see him face to face. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 5:25-30
  • Matthew 28:31-46
  • Revelation 1:7

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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