Read Matthew 17:14-23
Would you rather have “Little Faith” or “Small Faith?”
As Jesus and his three disciples came down from the mountain and amongst the multitude, a man came to Jesus in desperation. He fell at Jesus’s feet asking for mercy because his son had a demon inside him. His son has been a lunatic and often falls in the fire and water. The man had taken his son to the other disciples but they could not cure the son. Jesus responded to the man, showing Mercy, but Jesus is also very frustrated. In verse 17 Jesus says, “Oh, unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” When the son was brought to him Jesus rebuked him, the demon came out, and the boy was cured.
The disciples who tried to heal the boy, came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not cast it out?”
Jesus’s response is a little confusing because he says:
1. You couldn’t cast him out because of your little faith.
2. Then he said, if you had even a small amount of faith you could do miracles and nothing would be impossible for you.
So what’s the difference between little faith that gets you nowhere and small faith that moves mountains?
1. The Greek word for little faith means lacking confidence so that what little faith you have is overpowered by fear, doubt, and worry.
2. The Greek word for the small amount of faith that Jesus calls us to have, is grounded in Christ and comes with confidence. Even a small amount of faith that is grounded in Christ can’t be overpowered by fear and doubt.
What is troubling you? What consumes your thoughts every day? Do you worry or live in fear or hopelessness? Do as the man did with his son, fall on the ground before Jesus calling for mercy. But then get ready just in case Jesus rebukes you like he did the man. Just in case he calls you out like he did the man for constantly allowing yourself to be overcome by the devil’s lies and causes you to live with “little faith” grounded in your lack of confidence, and easily overpowered by doubt, your worry and fear. Jesus wants you to be victorious. Jesus wants you to rely upon him, despite the circumstances, versus being overcome by your circumstances.
Jesus, give us even the smallest amount of faith that is grounded in you, which cannot be overcome, thus resulting in miracles. Destroy the faith not grounded in you and is easily overcome by doubt, worry and fear, and the lack of confidence.
