FAITH AS SMALL AS A MUSTARD SEED

“Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?1 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” – Mark 4:30-32.

The next time you are walking down the spice aisle of your local grocery store, stop and look at the jar of mustard seeds on the shelf. By themselves, they don’t mean much but when coupled with faith, “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” (Matthew 17:20).

Jesus is telling them that even with a tiny bit of faith, they could move a mountain. In other words, the impossible. They needed only a tiny amount of the right kind of faith to do the impossible.

Jesus knew that the disciples would have difficulties later in their ministry. They would need a faith that could overcome those difficulties. Jesus uses the mustard seed to help teach the disciples that even the tiniest amount of genuine faith can bring something great out of something very small.

Never underestimate what just one individual can do when God is allowed to work through us.  We can trust Him to work through even the smallest of genuine, faith-filled acts to bring about His purposes. Faithfulness does not mean that we will be perfect. It does not mean that we won’t struggle or that we won’t make poor decisions. It does mean that we will continue to trust in God and try to follow His commandments even when life is difficult.

Faithfulness means steadfast loyalty that isn’t easily swayed. Our faithfulness to God means trusting in Him and loving Him through all circumstances. It means following His commandments even when we’d rather choose a different path. The good news is we don’t have to produce this faithfulness alone. God promises to give us strength when we need it. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

C.S. Lewis said, “[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some ways that God has tested or is testing your faithfulness?
2. What people do you look up to because you consider them faithful — people who are full of faith for the Lord? What attributes do they have in common?