A Challenge from The Master
To get a clear picture of today’s devotion, please be sure to study the recommended reading as stated below. It is necessary to read the entire scripture in context. Matthew 17:14-20 presents us with a unique story of a boy possessed by a demon, of which the disciples were unsuccessful in driving out on their own. So, the father of the possessed boy took him to Jesus, just as Jesus had come down from a glorious experience atop the mountain. The words of Jesus in Matthew 17:17 reveal a different side of our merciful Savior. “Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me” Matthew 17:17 NLT. Then, in Matthew 17:20, he challenges all those who are present regarding their faith.
There are many theological debates on the topic of faith, especially the measuring of our faith. Jesus went straight to the root of the matter by speaking to those who had a distorted view of the teachings and works of the Father. Furthermore, He revealed His desire to hasten His departure from the waywardness of the world in which He walked at the time, and then, in verse twenty, we see the challenge. “You don’t have enough faith…” Surely, over the many translations, this has been watered down, but in various commentaries, it remains consistent that Jesus spoke straight forward, provoked but with a response of compassion. When speaking of the mountain, it is possible that, considering He had recently departed from a great experience from the top of a mountain, Jesus pointed back to the mountain He was just on. His hyperbole of “moving the mountain” is not literal, in the sense that we shall speak to mountains and they move, rather, when we have the appropriate measure of faith, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. It has been said that we use less than 20% of our brains. I dare say we use significantly less of the faith available to us. What would be possible if we reach the level of faith as much as the mustard seed Jesus mentioned?
Today’s prayer is different. It is dangerous. It will change your life. This is no magic set of words, no strange “magic”, or otherwise, rather it is based on the simple principle of ask and receive. Please, if you are not prepared, do not pray this prayer.
Heavenly Father, As my hunger continues to increase for Your Word and to draw closer to You, stir in me an unrelenting passion for the things of Your Spirit. Increase the measure of faith I have, increase my capacity to have faith, and show me how to properly use the gift of faith for Your glory. -Amen
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “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 NLT
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