Matthew 17
Bible Passage: Matthew 17
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?…”
– Matthew 17: 17
Phew, glad I’m not like those guys! Or am I…? *Mysterious tune*
To be honest, on first impression, I really did have that thought about these disciples being “not-so-good”. Jesus even had to rebuke them in front of others. But then again, as I read this well-known incident again and again, I begin to feel that worse each time I read it. As in, the more I read this, the more I feel that I’m actually worse than the disciples, and not as “ok” as I think I am.
I feel that we always have to reflect upon our state of faith at all times… Perhaps even asking ourselves certain questions.
Is our current state of faith better than before?
Are there any little doubts creeping within us?
Would the Lord rebuke me if I were in that situation?
Even though we might’ve believed in Jesus for a long time now, I think most of us feel that we’re still so far away from the glory of God… Still so far away from the standards of God… Our faith being so little, that it’s even smaller than a mustard seed…
It really does sound kinda pathetic when you compare level of faith with something like a mustard seed. (Just look at the picture. And yes… Those are mustard seeds indeed. Not chicken feed.)
When we’re going to preach to someone we know who don’t know, do we have the faith that the Holy Spirit will guide us in our speech and also the heart of the listener? In times of some unfavourable situations, do we have faith that our Lord will guide and protect us?
I’ve always marveled at the faith of the examples as mentioned in Hebrews 11. Due to their little actions and thoughts, they not only received the blessings of God, but also played different roles in shaping how things have turned out even today.
Indeed, faith is a very important aspect in our Christian lives. And in this chapter, the Lord Jesus had instructed to (and rebuked) His disciples about having faith as a mustard seed, since they were unable to cast out the evil spirit from the epileptic boy. And likewise, though not meaning to be direct or anything, perhaps we might feel that our faith is like that of the disciples, due to certain “similar” reasons or experiences (I’ll leave it to your imaginations)…
And our Lord had told us something that we should do at least in order to obtain such faith…
“…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. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting…”
– Matthew 17: 20-21
Therefore, let us always pray earnestly and fast, so that God may help us in strengthening our faith, that we may be able to “have faith as a mustard seed”.
Let us also always remember to strive to draw closer to our Lord, building up our faith, and keeping ourselves in the grace and mercy of God. And let us be watchful always…
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
– Jude 19-20
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…
– Philippians 4: 13
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biblereadingcompanion
The lesson on faith as a mustard seed is often heard and often needed. For in so many ways our faith is lacking.
It is funny that the mustard seed is mentioned in today’s chapter.
Yesterday, I was at a Christian book shop and I saw a bookmark that quoted Matt 17:20 ~ “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.”.
And on the bookmark was a real life size mustard seed – encased in a small transparent bubble.
It was to remind us about how small things can mean a lot.
Coincidentally, yesterday, a sister shared that she is now learning how to count her blessings – no matter how small it may seem to be – and when you really start listing out the blessings received… it can quickly become a lot.
Er…. where am I going with this?
In my long winded way, I am trying to point out something so small in today’s chapter that I never noticed until when I read it today.
This is found in the last verse of today’s chapter…
“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Do you see it?
This was Jesus telling Peter to catch a fish and retrieve the money within so that they can pay the taxes that they were accused of not paying.
Do you notice the ‘small’ thing I never did notice till now?
“….. take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Noticed how Jesus took care of Peter’s taxes too.
Jesus – the Master – did not just settle His own problem and leave Peter to settle his own problem.
Jesus took care of Peter even for this small thing.
In the eyes of men, this might seem small. But I believe for Peter, this was something big and wonderful.
This is our God. Caring even for the minute details of our life… “Not a hair will be lost”…. “look at the birds of the air.. how much more valuable are we?” …. “do not need to worry about what we eat or wear”….
The list goes on.
But if we do not pay close attention to these small details, we might miss out the wonderful things the Lord has done for us.
Thank you Jesus for loving me enough to die for me. And also thank you Jesus for caring and blessing me in so many ways that I have taken for granted. Please help me to treasure and be thankful for all that you have done.
Thank you Lord for Your Blessings on Me … (just love this country style Christian song… listen to the lyrics!)
PS
Matthew 17:20 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.”
Matthew 17:21″However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
“However”….?
Frankly i m confused.
Did the disciple fail to cast out the demon bec they did not have faith, like a mustard seed, or they did not fast and pray enough?
Or the faith required to cast out a demon is higher than to move a physical thing eg a mountain?
May be neither.
May be simply bec they weren’t Lord Jesus, God.
Then how?
Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Acts 14:11, 14-16 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.”
Mark 16:15-17 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe:…”
Hebrew 2:4 God, also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.
May be this is how: Preach the gospel. And Lord Jesus will be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). Mountains will be moved. Demons will be casted out. Bec He follows us.