Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. Luke 17:1-6 (NIV)
What could be the desire behind this request for increased faith (v.5)? A perfect faith? A clearer faith? A stronger faith? A firmly fixed faith? A complete and resolute faith? A faith that never fails? We are not certain of their personal motives, but the word Luke uses is the imperative form of the verb meaning “to add to or increase.” The common interpretation of their request would be: “give us more faith.” To the apostles’ credit they recognize that an improved faith comes from Christ.
Every believer humbly acknowledges the weakness and deficiency of faith. Like the apostles, we think we need more faith. For some reason, we tend to think the amount of faith or the size of one’s faith is the key to success.
Consider what Jesus had just said to these men. He said, “Watch yourselves that you are not the cause of another’s sin” (vss.1-3a). Perhaps these emerging apostles felt that more faith was the key for not leading others into sin. He said, “Forgive those who sin against you, no matter how many times it happens” (vss. 3b-4). Maybe they thought more faith was the key to forgiving the trespasses of others. Maybe the significance of following this miracle-working rabbi suddenly hit them and they realized their lack.
In any case, Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you” (v.6). In other words, the smallest amount of faith is still sufficient to achieve even the most difficult tasks. With the smallest bit of faith you can proclaim victory! With the smallest bit of faith obstacles obey! With the smallest bit of faith great miracles occur!
Dear Father, thank you for the faith we have. Empower us to exercise our faith for your glory. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your faith,