"Mustard seeds were one of the smallest seeds known,
and Jesus often used their tininess when emphasizing how little something could be."
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In order to emphasize to His disciples how little faith is actually required for them to do what they thought impossible, Jesus used a mulberry tree planting itself in the sea as an example of faith accomplishing something which everyone considered impossible.
They merely needed faith the size of a mustard seed and the seemingly impossible would become possible. That little amount of faith would be sufficient for them to carry out whatever they were commanded to do.
Faith: Obedience to God’s Command
Jesus was telling His disciples that no matter how impossible the task, what little faith they had would be enough if their faith was an act of obedience. Jesus emphasized this point by saying:
Luke 17:7-10 “Which one of you having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’? Does he thank that slave because he did what was commanded? In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves; we’ve only done our duty.’ ”
Just in case there was any confusion on the disciples’ part, that faith is simply a matter of obedience, Jesus reminded them that slaves do as they are told. They continue working all day, doing their master’s wishes. When they have finished for the day they say ‘we’ve only done our duty.’ Jesus was reminding them that He was their Lord and Master. He had told them to do their duty; forgive their brothers. They, as His servants, were to be obedient and do what their Lord Jesus had commanded them.
Why it is simple to forgive a brother?
Once the apostles understood that their faith could be as small as a mustard seed they could easily obey that command. With the confidence and assurance that comes through faith they simply needed make the decision to forgive. Because they believed that whatever Jesus commanded was possible, they now knew their little faith was enough to make it possible to forgive all who had sinned against them. Later, once God had given the Holy Spirit to live within and empower them, they fully comprehended how easily it was to keep Jesus’ commands. They simply obeyed and did as they were commanded to do. The Holy Spirit within enabled them, as new creations, to forgive their brothers.
Just as it was God’s will that His apostles forgive their brothers, so too we must forgive. As He through the Spirit gave them the faith and ability to forgive, so too He will grant us the ability when we decide to forgive our brothers. A task might seem impossible for man, but with God nothing will be impossible. Once a man has been born from above and has received the Holy Spirit living within him he too can have same confidence as the Apostles, knowing that God can change his heart also.
Remember with God nothing will be impossible! Remember also that without faith it is impossible to please God. So let us all strive to be obedient through faith. When we choose to forgive, the Holy Spirit empowers us to forgive. We then have the ability to grant forgiveness, and show sincere love to our brothers who have repented.
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