Matthew 17:20 vs Matthew 8:26
Matthew 17:20 - Mustard Seed Faith
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
There are moments in my life when doubt creeps in, and I find solace in turning to Matthew 17:20. It's like my go-to when my mind is wrestling with something beyond its grasp. When I'm struggling with the incomprehensible and my skepticism kicks in, I remind myself that it's alright because I've got that mustard seed faith.
We hear folks throw around this well-known Bible verse all the time, but I wonder, do they really grasp the depth of what Jesus was getting at with those words?
Matthew 8:26 - Ye of Little Faith
But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
By contrast, there are times when my faith falters, and I can't help but feel a bit condemned. It's a pattern you spot throughout the scriptures—Jesus, in a way, correcting his disciples when their faith wavers and doubt creeps in. Whether it's about bread (Matthew 16:8) or even the grass of the field (Matthew 6:30), Jesus doesn't mince words when it comes to disapproving of disbelief.
Let's Review
When we're tossing around scripture quotes in our everyday lives, it's crucial that we truly understand what those verses mean and the interpretations behind them. That's where Bible Study comes into play.
So, when faced with what seems like a contradiction, it is time to dig deeper, to study the Bible and unravel why mustard seed faith gets a nod of approval, while having just a smidgen of faith is seemingly frowned upon.
From the Biblical Foundation, I found the following:
“Little faith and a mustard seed of faith are not the same thing. Jesus never encouraged us to have small faith, rather He encouraged us to have a faith that grows like a mustard seed so that our faith can become great.”
Faith that Grows!
After years on this Christian journey, is it acceptable to maintain the faith of a mustard seed? Absolutely, but with a caveat—it should have blossomed. The next encounter with a tiny mustard seed should prompt some self-reflection: Has your faith experienced growth?
1Matthew 16:8
“Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?”
2Matthew 6:30
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
Comments