By Ken Fletcher
“Friends, it’s been on my heart to do some articles on Mark 11 and Matthew 21 concerning the fig tree incident with Jesus. There are many believers who do not understand what Jesus demonstrated and explained in these scriptures.With the Lord’s help, I’m going do my best to cover these amazing truths for your benefit. It’s my heartfelt prayer that you and I will understand and apply these truths out of God’s Word practically in our lives.” KF
Matthew 21 KJV “Verse 18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
Mark 11 KJV Verse 12 “And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
I find it fascinating that most believers do not believe these verses. Oh, they may believe that Jesus did and said these things, but they do not believe them enough to do what He said. I said, most believers! I hope by the end of these articles we will be convinced enough to be doers of His Word.
Starting off this study, I want to talk about Kenneth E. Hagin. He was the founder and President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries and RHEMA Bible Collage in Broken Arrow, OK USA. His amazing story begins as a tiny pre-mature born baby in 1917 when he was mistaken to be dead. Right after his birth, Kenneth’s grandmother was taking his tiny body out to the back to bury him when she noticed him move a little. Somehow, Kenneth clung to life.
He grew up not being able run and play like other children. He would quickly get too tired. He was a somber child. Often sitting with the grown up folks because he could not physically keep up with kids his age. At 15 years old he found himself totally bedfast.
He became paralyzed from his neck down much of the day. Several top doctors at the time said that it was not possible that he could live. Kenneth suffered from a deformed chest cavity and an enlarged heart. He also had a deadly incurable blood disease. Either condition would kill him without the other.
The doctors said that all the previous cases with this disease had all died around his age. They basically were advising him to prepare to die as also were the ministers who visited him a few times. During certain times of the day, for a few hours, his paralysis would subside some in his arms, Kenneth could read–though with great difficulty to just turn the pages–he wanted to read the Bible. Hoping he could get some answers.
He started reading in Matthew Chapter 1. As he was reading through the New Testament, he came across Mark 11:22-25. The 24th verse particularly stood out to him. Every day, Kenneth kept going over and over those scriptures. He said later that something inside was telling him that his answer was here. (It was the Holy Spirit, of course.)
His heart’s desire was not to die, but be healed. He felt if he died at age 15 or 16, he would have never really lived. After studying, meditating and analyzing over and over again these verses many many times, Kenneth said to the Lord, Jesus, if Mark 11:24 is true, if what you said is true, I’m coming out of this bed healed. Obviously, Kenneth regarded and believed what he read was indeed true.
Without any other person or help from Pastors of the 2 large denominations he was in contact with through his family, Kenneth received direct revelation from God in his heart that he could be healed by faith from the scriptures straight from the Holy Spirit.
After much meditation on these scriptures we are studying today, he realized and understood from the verses that he must FIRST believe he receive his healing from God BEFORE he felt anything change in his body. Kenneth then prayed, believing that he received his healing from God according to Mark 11:24, then, he heard the Lord speak to his heart, now you believe you’re healed. Kenneth said, I sure do!
The Lord said to Kenneth, well then, healed folks are up out of bed this time of the day. Then immediately Kenneth began to act upon his faith in God and was able to push his paralyzed legs off the bed. They clunked to the floor like two pieces of wood.
He then somehow was able to maneuver his body out of the bed while literally hugging and hanging on to the bedpost. He was quickly sliding down to the floor, when suddenly, what he described felt like warm honey poured on the top of his head and ran down his whole body. He said, it felt like a million needles was hitting his body. He said it hurt momentarily, but at the same time, it felt so good.
He said that, just a few moments later, he found himself standing up straight beside his bed under his own power! A miracle! Of course, he was still very weak physically only weighing 89 pounds. But, he was standing up on his feet healed!
Instead of a forecast of death, Kenneth now had a forecast of life! Brother Hagin’s ministry of faith was born! Teaching what he learned to many, many thousands for over 60 years. He also authored over 100 books. I was privileged to sit under this man’s ministry at his Bible Collage graduating there in 1996.
He was living proof that it’s possible that one could be healed through faith in the Word of God plus nothing! Since Kenneth’s healing so many years ago, because of his teachings from the Bible, many thousands have come to experience healing for themselves through their faith in God’s Word. Including myself! I’ll get into my testimony sometime later in these articles.
The concepts of what Jesus said must be understood. Faith is real. It is a force. Fear is also a force. Unbelief is the stance against the truth. It comes down to, do we believe Jesus or not? The truth is, you and I can be highly developed in one area of faith and dangerously deficient in other areas.
Join me again on the next article as we get into some of the nuts and bolts of these wonderful scriptures. I believe studying the verses on these articles will bring huge positive results in your life.” KF KenFletcher.org
