We live in a world that rates the importance of things by size. Something as small as a mustard seed is barely noticed in the hand never mind seeing it on the ground. It appears to be insignificant. But once planted, it grows into a plant large enough to provide a valuable food and shelter for animals. Jesus takes a mustard seed as an example that a little faith can have incredible results. What lessons can we learn to apply to faith in God?

1. It involves risk

Dare we trust God? The secular standards for success requires prosperity, power and self-belief. Christians are always tempted to align the Kingdom of God with earthly power. The seed of the Gospel appears too insignificant and impotent to change the world. There is always a risk that the birds will get it first or the ground will be rocky or too shallow to take root. See Matthew 13. These are things that we should not take into account. As the opportunity comes we are to sow the seed. The rest is up to God. To trust God with our problems always involves risk on our part but do you know anyone more able to deal with it than God? God is all knowing and all powerful. God can do the impossible!

2. It is persistant

The mustard seed grows every place in the world, in cold climates as well as hot ones. It can grow in any type of soil. It is disease-resistant and hardy. It comes in four different kinds of colour: yellow, white, brown and black. Like the races of mankind. What a great example for Jesus to give us. The mustard seed just keeps multiplying and multiplying! In the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) the widow kept nagging that judge night and day about her case until he gave in. Jesus had linked her act of being persistent with faith! A little faith can go a long way if it is persistant.

3. It hurts

The mustard seed, when crushed, sets off a pungent odor and also stings and hurts. It was used many years ago for scorpion stings and to ward off the pain of toothache. It definitely gets your attention! It is interesting from the book of Acts and early Church history, how the persecution of the Church only served to help it grow and find favour in the eyes of God.

4. It can move mountains

Your faith can grow to the point where you are able to move mountains, spiritually speaking. Your faith can help provide shelter for other who are in need of a spiritual boost. Is your faith mustard seed faith? Is it growing? Better to grow slow than not grow at all. Even small faith can achieve big things! The quality of your faith is more important to God then the size. Faith in God means the possibilities are unlimited.

Categories: Luke, Matthew