Here's the faith you need

Chris Bolinger March 26, 2023

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"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."
—Matthew 17:20

Jesus often used everyday objects to explain challenging ideas, including complex theological concepts.

One such concept is what Jesus called "the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 13 alone records Jesus comparing the kingdom of heaven to:

• a field in which good seed and weeds are sown (vv. 24-30)
• a mustard seed planted in a field (vv. 31-32)
• leaven, or yeast (v. 33)
• treasure hidden in a field (v. 44)
• a merchant in search of fine pearls (vv. 45-46)
• a net thrown in the sea (vv. 47-50)
• new and old treasure (vv. 51-52)

For the mustard seed example, Jesus added some commentary that is helpful to people who are unfamiliar with these seeds: "It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

Later (see Matthew 17:14-20), Jesus compared a mustard seed to something else: faith.

A man approached the disciples of Jesus and ask them to heal his young son, who suffered from seizures so severe that they often caused him to fall into fire or water. The disciples tried, and failed. So the man approached Jesus, and Jesus healed the boy by rebuking a demon.

When they had a chance to have a private conversation with Jesus, the sheepish disciples asked him why they had been unable to cast out the demon. The answer was that they lacked the necessary faith. All they needed was a tiny speck, less than a mustard seed's worth, and they didn't have it.

They—well, 11 of the 12 of them—would get that faith eventually.

Hebrews 11 explains that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (v. 1). The rest of the chapter is called the "Faith Hall of Fame." It's a list of faith giants. Abel. Noah. Abraham. Moses. Gideon. David. Prophets. Many others.

Some of them accomplished amazing things. Others were killed before they had the chance.

But none of them received what was promised to him. Not in this world. They were "strangers and exiles" here. They were seeking a better country, one that God had prepared for them.

These men were ordinary men. Stubborn. Selfish. Fearful. Sinful.

Knuckleheads. Just like you and me.

What set them apart was a tiny speck of faith.

This devotion is adapted from52 Weeks of Strength for Men.

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Chris Bolinger is the author of three men’s devotionals – 52 Weeks of Strength for Men, Daily Strength for Men, and Fuerzas para Cada Día para el Hombre – and the co-host of the Throwing Mountains podcast. He splits his time between northeast Ohio and southwest Florida. Against the advice of medical professionals, he remains a die-hard fan of Cleveland pro sports teams. Find him at mensdevotionals.com. Learn More »

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