As a Grain of Mustard Seed

As Christadelphians, we firmly believe that we uphold the faith once delivered to the saints. But how much personal faith do we show? Do our lives show the complete dependence on God that characterised the worthies of old and which is outlined so vividly for us in Hebrews chapter 11? The question is meant seriously. On several occasions we are told that Jesus had to rebuke his closest disciples for their little faith. If they failed in this respect, are we not also in danger of falling short. In Hebrews 3:19, we are warned that the vast majority of the Israelites did not enter the promised land due to unbelief. The exhortation continues, “Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them. But the message which they heard did not benefit them because it did not mix with faith in the hearers” (Hebrews 4:1-2).

The gospel useless? Yes, if it is not followed through to the end and with all the strength at our disposal: “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest. And let us make sure that none fall by the same sort of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11). If we take our calling seriously, then we will want to examine those areas where our faith is weakest and seek help. Our Lord not only rebuked but also indicated the remedy.

When Jesus descended from the mountain of transfiguration with Peter, John and James, he was met by a discomforted group of nine apostles. They had been publicly shamed by their inability to cure an epileptic boy. After Jesus had healed him, the disciples asked why they had not been able to do so. Had they not been given the gifts of the holy spirit? Had they not already healed many sick and disturbed people. Jesus replied shortly, “Because you have so little faith”. Then he went on to suggest that if they had faith “as a grain of mustard seed”, they would be quite capable of doing the impossible: “Nothing would be impossible for you” (Matt 17:20). Here the Lord makes it clear he regards the mustard seed as the smallest of seeds (Matt 13:32). Is he saying that if we only have a tiny amount of faith, we shall be able to move mountains and perform the impossible? No, as this would be self-contradictory. Rather he is pointing out a natural truth that even a small seed has enormous power stored up in it.

I am myself a farmer and have the knowledge of this, every year I experience seeing how even heavy paving stones are lifted up by tiny seedlings. A seed may be small but it is strong and determined to achieve the destiny that God has intended for it. We are not expected to go and move literal mountains, of course. That would be a pointless exercise and God does not encourage display of power for its own sake, just to show whether we have faith or not (Matt 4:5-7). Jesus dismissed that kind of temptation as an unworthy use of God’s power.

‘Mountain’ here represents an obstacle. Jesus said this so that the apostles should be prepared for the task ahead of them: preaching the gospel.

Bro Moses Dhlakama (Chipinge, Zimbabwe)