Title: Give me more faith
Contents
2007.02.25Words
Luke 17:5 ~ 17:10
Jesus taught his disciples to be tolerant of their brothers.
He warned that it is better to sin and to corrupt one of the little ones (referring to new believers who have been listening to Jesus) than to have a millstone hung around their neck and fall into the sea.
He told us to forgive our brothers at least seven times a day, so he gave us a strict instruction to forgive completely and indefinitely until the end (Luke 17:1-4).
At this time, the disciples were not confident enough to compare their inner state and keep the teachings of Jesus. Therefore, the disciples wanted the faith that could comply with the demands of Jesus.
First, Jesus exhorted us to have the power of faith.
In other words, the disciples demanded of Jesus the gift of faith, that is, the amount of faith (1 Corinthians 13:2 ~Even if you have all the faith that can move mountains), but Jesus said that the faith he told his disciples had a fundamental change in quality.
Just as a mustard seed, although small, has vitality in it and grows into a large tree, He said that those who have true faith can do great things even with a very small amount of faith.
Jesus is not giving his disciples more faith, but encouraging them to have faith so that they may live in power.
Human words cannot move mountains (Matthew 17:20) or mulberry trees into the sea. But Jesus said that it is obedience to the Word, the faith that makes it possible.
With this kind of faith, the disciples preached the gospel to the ends of the world. (John 15:10 Just as I kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love, so if you also keep my commandments, abide in my love.)
Romans 5:19 For just as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.
The second is absolute humility and supplication.(7-10)
Believers must obey and serve God's commands until the work is finished. The believer is a slave. A slave is like a servant who serves (Romans 1:1).
The servant must feed the livestock, plow the field, and return home in the evening to prepare food and drink for the master and to attend at the master's table.
Patience is also required here. A servant who faithfully serves his master must do his duty faithfully, without expecting any reward or praise of any kind.
Likewise, the disciples who are servants of the Lord should, after faithfully performing their offices, confess that they are useless servants, rather than expecting praise and rewards (verse 10).
All that Jesus requires of the faithful disciple is an attitude of humility and obedience. You must also ask the Lord to give you faith.
When the Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus to heal her daughter's wart, but Jesus ignored him, you are right, Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Jesus said, "Woman, your faith is great, just as you wish. It will be done." and corrected it immediately. Faith that endures even when ignored and rejected is a great faith.
Conclusion When the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, Jesus must have the power of faith and obey the word, and there must be absolute humility and supplication. Please have great faith just as the Canaanite woman was praised by the Lord.