Forget the Outcome and Ask Anything

S - "When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 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. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” … Jesus said to them [the Pharisees], “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matthew 21:20-22, 31-32 NIV)

O - Two very different statements to two very different groups of people and yet the point is the same for both. What exactly are the disciples to believe so that they will receive whatever they ask for in prayer?  What exactly was the way of righteousness that John showed the Pharisees which they did not believe?  The answer? Jesus; Jesus the person not the theological concept.  He is to be the recipient of a faith which does not doubt and he is more than the way of righteousness. In fact, he is righteousness itself. The one who believes Jesus can ask anything. The one who believes Jesus will enter and live in the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Jesus is the exact image and representation of his Father, the righteous One.  

A - Religion taught me to "believe and not doubt" an outcome.  If the desired outcome did not materialize then the obvious and only cause was that I had doubted and ruined the whole thing.  So, the next teaching of religion was that I had to get and keep out all doubt.  Any flicker in me would produce another complete failure.  Finally, it taught me that even though neither of the previous "lessons" worked if only I engaged them with more intensity and stamina I would finally get what I asked for … but that didn't work either.  Now I am discovering what Jesus meant and how he lived. Jesus believed in his Father, not in withering trees. He didn't work at keeping doubt out he lived continually in his Father and his Father lived in him … the exact relationship he wants and offers to all who will follow. He's not requiring us to get doubt out but to let him in and abide in him.  On the heels of a faith failure He said to the twelve: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. “(Matthew 17:20; cf. Luke 17:6 NIV) The person of Jesus makes nothing impossible; he keeps everything possible for the one who believes.

P - Lord Jesus,

Thank you that the work of God is to believe your person and this alone makes and keeps everything possible … it's the only dynamic which enables anyone to ask anything unto mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful.  I welcome the beauty of you who are righteousness living in me and me living in you unto all you already have in mind to do and me asking whatever I wish.  I accept your invitation and instruction … I believe you and then ask for anything … and then it is done for me rather than me trying to do for you.  Amazing … because you are.

All in and all my love,

Steve