In Matthew 8, the disciples were with Jesus on a boat. A storm came and swamped the boat with waves. Read carefully the two different declarations cried out by the disciples, "Save us Lord; we are perishing." The second part cancels out the first. Did they believe Jesus could save them? It appears they believed more that they were perishing. Fear surrounded them, and disbelief swallowed them. Though they asked Jesus to save them, there was little belief behind their words. We know that to be true because Jesus rebuked them, "why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"
God wants to meet us at our struggle with faith, but not when that struggle isn't honest. Faith is the heartbeat of our relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "without faith it is impossible to please God." In Mark 9, Jesus meets a man who is fighting for his son's life. The man meets Jesus by faith, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus responds with that compassion the man knew was present in him. "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." This man believed something about God the disciples still struggled to understand.
First, he understood Jesus' compassionate desire to help those who believe in him.
Second, Jesus slows down to meet those who want to experience his power in Spirit and truth.
The disciples failed to comprehend this though they had been with Jesus for a little while at this point. The man believed what he heard about Jesus even if he had not walked with him.
Jesus rushed to meet the man right where he was, with "mustard seed faith." The man wanted to believe. That's all Jesus wants.
He knows we struggle in our humanness to believe completely. He knows the difference between those who have the right words and still don't believe from those who don't fully believe but desire faith. This man was the latter. With all he could muster, he asked, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." That's honest. Jesus honors honesty.
Faith is so vital to our Christian walk. The disciples words asked for rescue, Yet, their faith revealed they believed they were perishing. The man saw his son perishing but believed Jesus could save him. He struggled with his faith, yet he knew Jesus could provide that help as well.
We can read these stories and understand that they reveal the tale of two types of faith. One that is lacking and disappoints Jesus and cannot please God. The other is small but powerful. Each of us will encounter moments that seem to cause us to fear perishing. Those moments reveal so much about our faith.
Will God rebuke you at that moment for so little faith?
Will The Lord see your small faith and come alongside to help your unbelief?
Both tales reveal two types of faith. The cool thing, Jesus did not give up on the ones he had to rebuke. They encountered times where their faith had the opportunity to grow.
What will be the tale of your faith?
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