"little faith"

Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9 all tell the story of a father's concern for his demon-possessed son who manifested alarming characteristics of a frenzied-like epilepsy.  When Jesus hears his story, tinged with all the emotions of a grieving father who had unsuccessfully sought the disciples' help in casting out the demon, He responded to the desperate man's request--"But if you can do anything take pity on us and help us"--with a short question, "If you can?"
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"If you can?" Jesus seems almost incredulous at the request.  He could have been thinking--"You've seen me to do miracles. You've heard about my demon-casting out power (or you wouldn't even be here).  You've come to seek my help.  And, yet, you doubt my ability."  "If you can?"

Jesus continued.  "Everything is possible for him who believes", and the embarrassed father responded,        "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."


And Jesus miraculously delivered the young boy from the demonic presence.  as the boy lay like a corpse like he was dead on the ground, "...Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet and he stood up".  Luke records, "And they were all amazed at the greatness of God".


All the gospel writers record the disciples' frustration that they could not cast out the demon--"Why could we not drive it out?" Mark observes that Jesus answered,  "This kind can come out only by prayer", intimating that the disciples had acted in their own strength, not availing themselves of the divine power of God. Or, perhaps, they had not been  totally confident that God could accomplish this act of deliverance through them for Matthew records Jesus' response in these words  "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 the mountain 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."


The father of the demon-possessed boy had faith; he brought his son to the disciples and, ultimately, to Jesus.

The disciples had faith.  They attempted to cast out the evil spirit, no easy task.

What they had in common was "little faith".


"Little faith" is not about the quantity of faith--Jesus had said it only has to be as big as a small mustard seed--but about the quality of faith.

Do you believe Jesus can--is He big enough?  Have you come to  Him in prayerful dependence so that you can accept His will and purpose no matter what the outcome?  It takes  genuine faith--focused on a sovereign God with a  plan and purpose for our lives--to believe that He is able to do the perfect thing that we need for our good and His glory.

How "little" is your faith?  How big is your God?