Matthew 17:19-21
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
These verses have always been problematic for me, so I read a commentary this morning for help. The writer pointed out that these words are directed at the disciples, who Jesus had specifically given the power to perform miracles. They were unable in this case to heal the child because they had lost faith somewhere along the way. He has never promised us this same power, but he has promised us other things. These promises are those which we must believe and live out. I believe in my eternal salvation because I have faith. I believe Jesus Christ can and has power to do anything, including overcoming this earthly world. I believe God is always here for me whenever I call on Him, and even when I don't.
Holy Lord, you have held me close all my life. You have not given me the power to perform miracles, but have performed miracles all around me. I have faith in your promises, and am forever thankful. Amen
Becky, transforming
Friday, December 8th, 2023
Matthew 17:19-21
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
The fact that Jesus gave them powers for healing and miracles, is remarkable. They lacked the faith to know this power was a gift to them from Jesus. If they had faith in God to do the things that He required of them, Jesus promised them that nothing will be impossibl…
Matthew 17:19-21
Like any good teacher, Jesus is explaining to his disciples about their lack of faith in the power he has given them. He has taught them and given them the power of miracles but they seem to lack faith to make that happen. They are relying on themselves not Jesus. It is our belief in the things we are taught by God and the nudges from the Holy Spirit that help us accomplish much. As a teacher myself, I know I can teach, show, and explain how to do something, but if the student doesn’t have the faith to try it, they really haven’t learned what I was teaching.
Prayer: Gracious God, we need to believe in th…
Matthew 17:19-21 Discerning and following God’s will and plan for our lives requires diligence and focus. When we are distracted by earthly things like money, success and influence we will overlook the good we can do that honors and glorifies God. Faith is a 24/7/365 commitment and cannot be turned on and off on demand. Even our faith-filled
prayers can bring about miracles we never could have imagined.
Prayer - God in heaven, author of our faith, help me keep faith my life’s priority, not wavering in bad times when doubt interferes or in good times when earthly pleasures distract. Use my faith to figuratively move mountains. Amen
TAA