Faith and the Mustard Seed: Matthew 17: 14-20

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“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

A single mustard seed measures little more than one centimeter, yet it contains the essence of life. Just as with that seed, the words of faith are often small; no more than one or two syllable but they contain the essence of spiritual life. When we speak of God, faith, hope, love, joy, grace, prayer, and peace, the power of those small words spreads and grows beyond anything we can imagine.

The mustard seed’s small size belies its pungent, fiery potency. It is only when the seed is broken open that the truth is revealed. But first, the seed must be crushed, ground to a powder and sifted to remove its bran and husk. When the powder is mixed with seasoned wine, it releases the aromatic oils that give mustard its strength as a seasoning and home remedy. Suddenly the little seed becomes fiery.

The tiny mustard seed is a reminder that bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes less is more.

For instance, take a closer look at the mustard seed. Chemically speaking, the chlorophyll that courses through it is almost identical to the lifeblood flowing through our veins. Strip away just one solitary hydrocarbon atom and you have human blood. That small difference makes all the difference.

Jesus knew that little things can make a big difference. That is why He wants us to break open the scriptures, crack the hard shell of complacency, shed the husk of indifference, and allow its message to sift through our souls. Once the Word transforms us, the wine of salvation will give us the strength to be a potent force in the world.

It only takes one small act of kindness to make a big difference in someone else’s life:

• It could be donating your used clothing and furniture to a charity instead of holding a garage sale.

• It could be as simple (and thoughtful) as baking cookies for the new family on your block, or babysitting for a single mother.

• It could be mowing the lawn of a senior citizen or volunteering at a food kitchen or homeless shelter.

Little things mean a lot.

Look what Jesus did with His small group of faith-filled apostles.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

When they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and off-times into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him hither to me.

And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?

He saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.