Needed Faith!
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
The car needs new tires. The storm damage. The doctor’s report. The kid’s attitude. The extra stress at work. Go ahead, add anything you want to the list. Don’t you relate to the prayer that the apostles uttered? “Lord, increase our faith!”
It is interesting that this request didn’t come at some high stress event. Jesus was teaching about sin, faith and duty. He said, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for that person if a millstone would be hung around his neck and he would be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Watch yourselves.”
Then he adds: “If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
Like the disciples then, it is important to realize that we can’t measure up to the standards that Jesus is setting. It may be easier not to lead a child astray, but to forgive no matter how many times he sins against you? I think I would have said, “You are kidding, Lord. Right?”
But Jesus wasn’t kidding. Sin is a serious subject. Look at what our sins caused for Jesus. He died on the cross the remove them from us. We are fully and freely forgiven. Faith that sees what Jesus has done for us is what empowers us. That is the source of strength we need. Jesus indicates the power of faith, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Trust our Lord!
Lord Jesus, continue to increase our faith. Thanks! Amen.