What would Jesus say about your faith? I am referring to the faith in God that He will do what He says because of who He is. Would Jesus tell you, as He told some, “you have great faith” (Mat. 8:10, 15:28). On the other hand, would Jesus tell you as He told others, “you of little faith”, (Mat. 6:30, 8:26, 16:8). As a Christian, does it really matter to you if Jesus would acknowledge the faith in your life or not? Do you have a desire that your faith is continually increasing in your relationship and experience with God? On the other hand, are you content living with the experience and expression of faith you now have in your relationship with God?
In this study, we will look at what Jesus says about faith and what he says about the faith he found in others.
The characteristics of faith
Matthew 17:20, He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” The realization of the power that even a “little faith” can have.
John 14:12, I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. The importance of, in whom our faith is placed will influence what faith will do.
Matthew 21:21-22, 21 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. The unlimited power of unhindered faith.
Actions of faith
Luke 5:17-20, Jesus healed the paralytic who was lowered through the roof of a house by his friends. Ver. 20, When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Faith that is not hindered by limitations.
Matthew 8:5-13, Because of the centurion’s request, Jesus heals the centurion’s servant who was not present. Ver. 10, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Faith that understands who Jesus is and can do.
Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus healing the Syrophoenician woman’s demon-possessed daughter. Matthew 15:28, Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Great faith in a person that others thought was not great.
The results of faith
The woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. Matthew 9:22, Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
The healing of the two blind men. Matthew 9:29, Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you“
The blind beggar. Luke 18:40-43, When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”
The previous nine verses are examples of the positive aspects of faith that Jesus spoke about or acknowledged verbally in someone. However, we also must understand that likewise Jesus acknowledged the negative aspects of the little faith of some persons He dealt with.
When Jesus said, “You of little faith”, what was Jesus pointing out about the person or persons when He stated this fact? Was Jesus trying to embarrass them by publicly making a point that they had little faith?
In addition, when Jesus pointed out that a person or a Christian has “little faith”, there are some obvious symptoms and reasons that they might not be aware about.
Worry – Matthew 6:30-32, If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Fear – Matthew 8:26, He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Doubt – Matthew 14:31, Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Being in need – Matthew 16:8, Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Underestimating the power of a little faith – Matthew 17:20, He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Jesus was not demeaning or implying it was a bad thing when He said to someone, “You of little faith”, nor did Jesus ever tell anyone, “You of NO faith”. Jesus always pointed out that they had faith, even if was “little faith”. We always must remember “little faith” is always better than no faith.
Mark 6:1-6 tells us when Jesus visited “his hometown” the people who knew His family and thought they knew who He was, “were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.” (NLT). As a result, verses five and six says, “5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Is the lack of our faith because of the many things we have allowed to hinder and limit our faith? Is the reason why we do not experience “miracles” today because of our “lack of faith”?
How much more do we have to learn and believe about what God’s Word says about Who God is and the many lessons of faith in our relationship with Him before we can graduate from a Christian “of little faith” to a Christian of “great faith”?
Pastor John
