Mountain-Moving Faith – Luke 17:5-6

Thomas R. Schreiner writes at equip.sbts.edu, “Why is it true that mustard seed faith can move mountains and uproot mulberry trees? Jesus plainly tells us. It isn’t because of the quantity of our faith but the object of our faith. If our faith is in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, then it has a great effect. Our faith makes a difference not because it is so great but because God is so great, because he is the sovereign one who rules over all things…Mountain-moving faith…must be based on God’s promises—on what is revealed in his Word—not on what we wish will happen or even fervently believe will happen.”

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.  (Luke 17:5-6 ESV)

If I am told to beware of tempting others and to forgive seven times a day the same person who sins against me, I too might ask for more faith.  The apostles believe Jesus can do that, increase faith, because they’ve seen his power.  It may seem strange to us that they would need this, having seen many miracles, but they don’t believe that they can do those miracles. 

So they ask for Jesus to do some work in them that increases their faith and Jesus basically says, “No.”  In essence he says they don’t need more faith but just the tiniest faith.  The smallest faith will enable one to do miracles, because it is not the faith that accomplishes it but the God in whom one trusts.  Jesus does not elaborate, but we have heard his teaching about how much God loves us and how committed He is to bringing His kingdom to earth.  He wants to work through us.  What a privilege!