![]() ![]() The man tells Jesus that he had already gone to his disciples, but “they could not heal him” ( Matthew 17:16). In Matthew 17, a man pleads with Jesus to heal his son who was suffering from an oppressive demon. In each of these accounts, Jesus is confronting a lack of faith in the disciples. Jesus uses this analogy twice-once in Matthew 17:20 and once in Luke 17:6. Photo Credit: © Sparrowstock What Bible Verses Mention Mustard Seed Faith? The most famous biblical definition of faith is Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The Bible defines faith as a self-emptied, dependent assurance in God’s character and promises. In The Gospel According to Matthew, Leon Morris says, “It is not necessary to have great faith even a small faith is enough, as long as it is faith in the great God.” If our faith, even if it’s the size of a mustard seed, is placed in the all-powerful God, great things can happen. Our faith is only as strong as the object in which its placed. And with a diameter of 1 to 2 millimeters, it’s a fitting illustration!īy using this illustration to describe faith, Jesus is directing our attention, not to the quantity or strength of our faith, but to the object of our faith. Why does Jesus use a mustard seed to describe faith? In Jesus’ day, the mustard seed was used proverbially to represent the smallest of things. What Does ‘Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed’ Even Mean? ![]() But on two separate occasions in the Gospel Accounts, Jesus talks about a “mustard seed” faith that can result in great things. One of the greatest mistakes we can make in the Christian life is to think that power is sourced in faith itself. Have you ever wished that you had more faith? Stronger faith? Deeper faith? Sometimes, we think that if we can only muster up more faith from within ourselves, we can accomplish more. That includes me.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. But mostly, we welcome many little mustard seeds. What kind of community would that be? What kind of faith would that be? Instead we welcome curiosity. Building a community of youth isn’t about purging those who aren’t faithful enough or judging someone for a lack of faith. I could use that.Īt youth group, youth who are certain in their faith commune with those with heavy doubts or no belief at all. A faith of a mustard seed was what I would strive for. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like I was damaged goods, having to be bitter towards my faith and the answers it gives me (or show up to minister on Sundays and fake everything). My eyes grew big and an excitement surged through me as we discussed this. ![]() At one point my mom said, “well, I always just use the mustard seed faith method.” Lost and confused, I turned to my parents who are still one of my greatest lifelines. In fact, I didn’t really believe anything at all. Great things happen with the faith of a mustard see.Ībout a year ago I had a panic attack that provoked an existential crisis that destroyed the certainty with which I held on to my faith. But Jesus isn’t interested in increasing the disciple’s faith. In modern America, the Christianity influenced by Jonathan Edwards and tent revivals often asks for a sure and definite – a large, increased – faith. “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed…” He responds. This upcoming Sunday we will read about a big request from the apostles: “Lord, increase our faith!” Jesus, of course, never responds the way that anyone thinks He will. ![]()
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