Faith Enough

The response Jesus received from his statement that disciples ought to forgive someone seven times for the same offense when asked was very interesting: "The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5).  The call to forgive without limit was so daunting all they could say was, "Wow!  We need a serious boost in our belief factor to pull this off."

Jesus' response to them was equally interesting.  He did not comment on the enormity of the call or the deficiency of their faith.  Instead, he simply challenged them to use the faith they had to deal with the call they received: 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" (v. 6).

What Jesus was saying to his disciples was that the standard of the cross was not too high nor was the measure of their faith too low.  Neither factor needed to be changed as God had not over burdened them or under empowered them.  What needed to be changed was their use factor.

Jesus, dismissing their call to create a level playing field, told them to simply use the faith they had.  Even if it were true that you posses the smallest amount of faith and the task was of the greatest magnitude, just put the faith you have into practice and watch it work.

A mustard seed is about the size of a flea but the plant that it produces when put to work in the soil is the size of a shed.  The thing is that we are not the source of power behind our faith, God is.  And even when we are facing an impossible challenge considering our weakness, it is not impossible for God to bless our feeble efforts.

Matthew adds a sub note when he talks about the power of a  mustard-seed faith, which affirms this very point: "Nothing shall be impossible for you" (Matt 17:20).  Whatever it is that God is calling you to do, regardless of the amount of faith you feel you have, it is enough for God is more than enough.  Jus' Say'n.