Faith is hard to grasp sometimes. We serve an invisible God who works in mysterious ways. He cannot be controlled or manipulated. He can only be trusted to do the right thing; but that is hard for us to do sometimes.
There are very few figurative images of faith in the Bible. What could be used from the natural world to serve as a figure of speech, or an analogy, for faith? Yet, Jesus comes up with one in Luke 17 – the mustard seed. This is a well-cited passage but perhaps it would do us good to take a closer look at it.
THE BACKGROUND – 17:1-4:
Before we interpret any passage of the Scripture, we have to know the background. What is going on, to whom is Jesus speaking, and why is He saying what He says?
First, we take a look at the context of the statement in verses 5-6. The context of chapter 17:1-4 is forgiveness. Now, it may be that the context of this section/chapter goes all the way back to 15:1-2 where the Pharisees and scribes are murmuring against Jesus because “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
We as human beings sometimes do not like to forgive – especially seven times in a day! I do not know what it is that keeps us from forgiving. I don’t know if it gives us a certain sense of moral superiority to hang one’s sins over their head or what. But we often do not like to forgive. We don’t want someone to get off “so easy” by the sins they have committed against us. “We should be quick to move on once the wrong is acknowledged” (Bock, 280).
THE APOSTLES’ ISSUE – 17:5:
So, we see this same attitude in the response of the apostles. Forgive someone else!? Seven times in a day?! Impossible! The apostles realize it takes faith to forgive someone and let them back into your “good graces,” back on equal footing with you. “Increase our faith” is the response of the apostles.
A MUSTARD SEED FAITH – 17:6:
Approximately half of all young people among the order cheap viagra mouthsofthesouth.com age of 16-25 ages have diagnosed for these disease and the results were positive. It is important to know that the disorder is severe to a person, the discount here generic viagra discount doctor increases the amount that is mg for that particular person. The various causes of erectile dysfunction include levitra india systemic diseases, hormonal imbalances, along with various other causes. Fantasy capsules have edge over competing brands in terms of quality online ordering viagra of life.
This statement is clearly a figure of speech. It is a hyperbole – an exaggeration to get a point across. The mustard seed was proverbial for its smallness. Jesus uses it on a few occasions to portray something very small.
Thus, Jesus says, “If you have a tiny-bit of faith, a smidgeon of faith, you could, by your word, remove a mulberry tree.” We know that Jesus is not talking about telekinesis – moving objects simply with the power of our minds (or our faith in this instance). What He is talking about is that the smallest faith we have can give us the power to accomplish things that we did not believe we could do.
The disciples said, “Increase our faith!” But Jesus says, “It doesn’t matter how big your faith is. What matters is, are you operating on the basis of the faith that you have?” “It is not so much great faith that is required as faith in a great God” (Morris, 273). Do you need to forgive someone but you can’t bring yourself to do it? A little faith can go a long way.
Jesus will go on to show that because we are simply servants and not kings, we have no right or authority to hold grudges against others. Notice verses 7-10…
As an example of such faith, Luke follows up this “sermon” with the account of the healing of the leper. We are familiar with this account (17:11-19). This Samaritan had a “mustard-seed-sized faith” in the fact that he came to Jesus, asking to be cured, despite the fact that he was a Samaritan. He did what Jesus said do – he went to show himself to the priest. But secondly, his “mustard-seed-sized faith” is evidenced when he turns back around to show his appreciation to Jesus for healing him in the first place. God will bless every act of faith we can bring ourselves to exhibit, in order to “increase” our faith.
So, the next time you think, “I can’t do this,” remind yourself of this statement of Jesus. Remind yourself that you can do what God asks you to do, even if you have only the faith as big as a seed of mustard. God will bless that little faith, so that it may grow and become a bigger, stronger faith.
Even with a small faith in God, you can accomplish what God requires of you.
Paul Holland
