In we read …“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Which brings to mind the parable of the mustard seed from which is also covered in . has it as well, and mentions having faith as small as a mustard seed. In my early days of Bible study, I asked what the faith of a mustard seed is. I received many answers, but the one that spoke to me at that time was given by several people: The faith of a mustard seed is to grow. No matter what happens, the seed itself has no choice other than to grow. No matter if there is enough sunlight, or water, or soil, or room… no matter what: to grow. I took it personally. But isn’t it faith being described as a mustard seed? Is faith about growing and learning, or is faith about trusting? Isn’t the mustard seed of faith about the salvation we receive from Jesus Christ – a seemingly tiny thing, which grows to become the very foundation of our lives – growing to encompass lives around us. Do we trust God? Are we the people of the promise or are we full of moral worldly advice and religious practice? The disciples who had been sent out in twos, armed with the holy spirit to cast out demons and heal the sick while proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, couldn’t cast out a demon. After Jesus cast it out, they asked why they couldn’t do it. He said “You don’t have enough faith.”
Do we trust God enough to take a tiny faith and turn it into a world-changing thing? Do our actions proclaim the truth of God or do they proclaim our traditions? The apostle Paul says in “ In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable”. Are we choosing to celebrate the gift of salvation which came through the messiah at the promised time in the promised way? Or will we continue to quibble about our traditions and which ones we like to follow thus proving our superiority disguised as concern for our fellow believers? Will the mustard seed of faith, the kingdom of God reign in 2017? or will it be a year of asking God to bless us in our unfaithfulness? I pray God is speaking to you, and stretching you, and growing you and your faith and that your trust in Him will overflow this year.
There has never ever been a greater gift bestowed upon mankind than the one which was presented two thousand years ago in a manger. He came to give us peace between God and man – a chance to regain the relationship that was lost. He came to bind up the broken hearted, and to set captives free. He came to be the way, the truth and the life – the door and the gate. The good shepherd. I pray you will put your trust in Him, and allow that mustard seed to grow.
