Jesus had just cursed a fig tree (Matthew 21:18-19). Although it looked a healthy tree, it was without fruit and therefore useless. The words of Jesus to the tree, saying that it would never bear fruit again, instantly removed the fig tree's purpose, and even its bright leaves withered instantly. It was dead.

This was an acted parable. Israel had been the outward display of God's purpose for the world, but had become useless because they had stopped trusting God. Instead, they trusted the mechanics of their religion and their leaders enjoyed the power structure which kept them respected as authority figures. Instead of bringing God's saving grace to the world, Israel had become an obstacle to God's purpose. It could no longer be trusted to show God's love and mercy to the world, and would not be allowed to remain (Jeremiah 8:13).

The Word of Jesus was effective in dealing with the fig tree, and likewise Israel would also be destroyed by His Word (Matthew 24:1-2). Israel rejected God’s final sacrifice for sin, and 40 years later the city was destroyed by the Romans under General Titus, along with the sacred temple. Since then, no sacrifices for sins have ever been made in Jerusalem. The disciples were amazed that the curse had been effective, and so quickly. Jesus said that if they understood and trusted what God was doing, they could also speak out in faith and God would remove other mountain-like obstacles to His Kingdom (Acts 5:1-11).

These verses encourage us to stay close to the Lord, understanding His Word and sharing a passion for His purposes. To speak or pray in faith is not a matter of 'generating the feelings of faith' but knowing, from the Lord, what His will is and simply announcing it - as Peter did in Acts 3:6, and Paul did in Acts 20:22-24. Faith is not hoping that what we want might happen, but knowing that God's purpose will certainly happen. The prayer or announcement places faith on record so it is clear that what happens is no accident, but part of God's sovereign will to build His kingdom.