In review of Matthew 17:18-20 it says, “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. 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.”
Today's' passage comes from the middle of Matthew chapter 17 and tells of how Jesus healed a demon-possessed boy and how he taught his disciples and us about faith.
As the passage unfolds, we find a large crowd was waiting for them at the foot of a mountain. A man came pleading before Jesus and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, he has seizures and suffers terribly." He even has been hurting himself (falling in fire or water.) I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't heal him.
Jesus replied with, you faithless, corrupt and stubborn people How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy, then he commanded the demon, and it left the boy.
Afterwards the disciples asked Jesus, "why couldn't we cast that demon out?" Jesus told them that they didn't have enough faith. He went on to tell them that if they have faith even as small as a mustard seed, they could tell this mountain to move and it would. Nothing would be impossible for them.
At first I thought Jesus response was a bit harsh with his disciples. I’m sure he had been working with and teaching them and was surprised when they struggled. However, I’m a lot like the disciples. Many times I have prayed for something and wondered why God didn’t respond in the way I had hoped. I’m reminded of the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13. In this Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed and explained that, even though it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows into a tree if planted.
Perhaps my faith is still a seed and needs to be planted in the fertile soil of God’s Word so that it can grow, bear fruit, and provide comfort to others who are struggling in their faith. Maturing in my walk with God is a crucial step in receiving all that He is willing and able to do in my life.
Today, I should consider what steps can I take to help my faith to grow?
This morning Father, I thank You for being able to do immeasurably more than I can. Thank You for revealing my need for You. I want to know You more deeply every day. Please bless my effort to gain spiritual wisdom so that my faith will be like a mustard seed, renewed and transformed by You. In Jesus’ name.
Bottom Line:
Faith can falter when we take our eyes off of the one we have faith in.
What this means to me:
My faith can falter if I take my eyes off of the one I have faith in or think that it is impossible to accomplish. It also falters when I put more faith in my own abilities than in what Jesus can do for me.
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