Increase My Puny Faith
Because we have had so much rain over the past several weeks, the parking lot at our middle school was flooded. The proximity of the lake and the excessive water filling the lake caused water to spill over the banks and come to rest in the place where school busses normally park. As I took my daughter to her evening sport, we received notice that practice had been moved to another location away from the flood zone. Noticing that busses were parked around the circumference of the rising water it reminded me of covered wagons circled in the wild west to protect sojourners from danger.
Today I found the same experience as I read the 17th chapter of Luke. It seemed like one lesson stood out hoping to gain more of my attention. However, when I looked at the teachings that circled this one idea, I found a far different lesson than the one I had originally acquired. It was as though the surrounding passages were spilling over the banks wishing for me to see the primary point from a different perspective. I hope this analogy will make sense to you as you read this article.
I read, “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our Faith!” (Luke 17:5 ESV) As I thought about their request, I felt the urge to make the same request myself. It brought to mind a similar passage in Luke chapter 11 where the disciples made the request, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1 ESV) As you continue to read further in this passage, it becomes evident that Jesus does not immediately use the power of God's Word to speak it into existence. He does say, "let it be,” or “your wish is my command." He does not grant them increased faith. Instead, Jesus 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 11:6 ESV) Jesus teaches them the possibilities of what faith can do.
Didn’t the disciples already admit that their faith needed improvement? Doesn’t it seem strange that Jesus was responding to their request with an insulting response? Was feedback what the disciples desired? Jesus was making it clear that the condition of their faith was far less glorious than one would like to believe. Jesus compares their faith to a tiny mustard seed and indicated that theirs is much smaller. Now if that doesn’t deflate one’s ego, I don’t know what will. Was that all Jesus intended to do was to make them feel worse for lacking something they desired?
Lesson #1
After further study, I would have to say, no. Jesus had been teaching the disciples about temptation and sin when the request arose. It seems as though the disciple’s request was out of context to Jesus teaching. Jesus was not intending to ridicule the size of their faith but rather teach them valuable lessons about the human condition. The disciples didn’t say, ‘teach us how to grow our faith,’ did they? In hindsight we know that Jesus was preparing his disciples for the power of the Holy Spirit that would arrive at Pentecost. It would drive them to boldness that they had never experienced. At this time, the disciples were in their apprenticeship program not fully understanding that Jesus would sacrificially die to cover our sins and gain power over death through His resurrection.
Jesus shares with his disciples a warning as he teaches ‘temptation and sin are sure to come.’ (Luke 17:4 ESV) Then he goes on to say, “but woe to the one through whom they come.” What was Jesus talking about when He said, ‘through whom’ and ‘they’? The ‘they,’ in this passage, is talking about temptation which proceeds sin. The ‘through whom,’ refers to the person or people who lead others astray. Do you see it? This passage eludes to the possibility that someone’s words or actions might lead another into temptation which could result in sin.
As a parent, it is easy to relate to this topic. I am often observing the character of those who keep company with our kids. We worry about the possibility that our kids can succumb to pressure to do things they know are wrong. Someone could lead them astray. Hopefully we cannot place a name on that possibility, but only an underlying dis-ease that the possibility exists. We may look beyond 'the-kids-their-own-age' and become suspicious of other adults (parents, teachers, or coaches) who are guided by another spirit than our own. Even our own past experience teaches us how easy it is to be misguided. Humankind is designed to look for guidance. The problem is we often look all the wrong places.
Now, this is not to say that our kids, or we ourselves, could not be the influencers. Look at the passage again. Who is Jesus speaking to? Children? No, He is talking to adults. It seems easy to conclude that He is talking about the religious leaders. But could he also be talking about his devoted disciples? Could He be warning the ones who have denied themselves to follow Him? So why on earth would Jesus need to warn them? Doesn't close proximity to Jesus cause one to overcome temptation? Contrary to our belief, Jesus tells us plainly in Luke 17:1 that temptation and sin are sure to find us. Temptation leads one to sin, and no one is exempt. It is sure to come. Since temptation and sin are an equal opportunity employer, we can view this warning with the knowledge that temptation is not just something we stumble upon. We can expect to be led into its claws, and we do not want to be the one promoting it.
In my weekly Bible study, we have been looking at the life of Jesus as told through the gospel of Matthew. This week we focused on chapter five as we outlined all the ‘blessed are’ and ‘I say to you’ statements found in the Sermon on the Mount. As a reminder, we were encouraged to recognize our role as salt and light. It is good to question not only our talk, but also our walk. How is saltiness shown or light reflected from us? Are we leading others toward Jesus, or are we leading them away? As one who has accepted the atoning blood of Jesus which has removed our sin and shame, how do we show Jesus to others?
Lesson #2
Jesus then tells his disciples, “pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him.” Is Jesus asking us to be our brother’s keeper? Is He asking us to be involved in accountability? How should we be invested in one another’s lives? Should we be in close proximity so that we can guide one another, especially when one is going astray? We should not view accountability as an act of judging others. It should be viewed as a guardianship. By helping one another see blind spots, it allows us to take corrective action before we stray too far from the narrow path. So what is the correlation between ‘pay attention to yourselves’ followed by ‘rebuking and forgiving others?’ Understanding that we are just as likely to go astray as others, we should be able to humbly relate as we help our brother or sister overcome. Unlike the idea that ‘big-brother-is watching,’ it is a loving way that we can help one another. If we surround ourselves with the right people who speak truth into our lives, it helps us to repent and resolve the sin that wants to trip us up. The Bible tells us 'all we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way and the Lord laid upon Himself, the inquity of us all.' (Isaiah 53:6)
So when was the last time you were brave enough to bring the topic of gossip to someone elses' attention? Has someone brought an uncomfortable topic to you for consideration? Who would you trust to do that? When was the last time you shared one of your shortcomings with a brother or sister in Christ asking them to watch out for you. Have you ever repented publically of a sin that entraps you? This is what Jesus was teaching his disciples to do, and His next topic was equally important.
Lesson #3
Jesus was empathic with his next instruction when he said, ‘you must forgive.’ Here we find outselves at verse 4 and haven't even reached the request the disciples made of Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus tells his disciples to forgive a brother every time he repents, even if he repeatedly repents of the same sin. We cannot afford to hold on to a spirit of unforgiveness, especially when we are holding one another accountable. We are called to be agents of encouragement; please read Hebrews 10:23-25. It is very difficult to grow close to someone who is holding something against you. Trust is built on the ability to share freely and have confidence knowing that when you become vulnerable in exposure, they will show mercy and forgive. Who do you know that is like that? We are all called to be like that for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lesson #4
Jesus begins teaching his disciples about servanthood. As I was reviewing this lesson, I heard the hum of the lawnmower outside my window. It was the weekly provision that provides us with a manicured lawn, edging, spring and fall cleanup, weed removal, and the blowing away of grass trimmings from our sidewalks and drive. If you've wondered why our yard looks good, we must give a referral, not accept compliments. It is not our time or talent, but our money that produces the favorable results. Jesus in Luke 17 says, “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at the table?’ (Luke 17:7 ESV) How absurd I thought as I considered whether I would invite my lawncare provider in to my home for a warm cup of coffee and a scone; especially in light of the fact that I was still sitting in my baggy pants and oversized tee-shirt working on this article. Then Jesus asks, “Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded.” (Luke 17:9 ESV) Justified, I could sit behind my computer and excuse myself for not opening the front door and hollering, ‘thank you,’ as they loaded the lawn tractor back on their trailer to drive away. Had I ever written a thank you note to send along with my monthly check? Why not? Because I had grown to expect that they would perform what we hired them to do.
Let’s then consider ourselves. I am a servant in my household. How I yearn for acknowledgement that I am doing a great job with a simple thank you from my kids for packing their lunches, cooking their dinner or washing and folding their clothes. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear, ‘thank you for keeping the house clean, for washing the dishes I left in the sink after my evening snack, or for picking up my prescription at the pharmacy?’ We likewise are a servant to God when we teach a Sunday School lesson. We shouldn't be thinking of the additional jewels we will find in our heavenly crown. Confession time, I sometimes do that! In Luke 17:10 we read, “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ Busted!!! I want to be acknowledged. My love language after all is ‘words of affirmation.’
Wouldn’t we find it humorous or more likely distasteful, if our lawn service guy knocked on the front door when he was done and asked to be thanked with a cup of coffee while he used our restroom? Yet without our awareness, we are doing that to our families or to Jesus. When Jesus says, ‘feed my sheep’ or ‘tend my lambs,’ was He just talking to Peter? Now is the time for a closer examination of my heart. Do you, likewise, feel a pang of guilt? Just me . . . I'm okay with that. I realize that awareness to my flaws helps me. We are being sanctified by God's grace from moment to moment.
Lesson #5
Is it possible that we think we do better in the area of gratitude than we, in reality, do? Jesus tells his disciples the story of the ten Samaritan lepers who He healed of their skin disease. One might think it was an embellishment for the sake of the disciples to call them Samaritans rather than fellow Jews. In the story, only one returns to praise and thank the Lord. Jesus asks the question, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18 ESV) Even though most of my prayers begin with gratitude, they are quickly influenced by my request for more blessings. We pray, ‘bless this food to our bodies, help us to have a safe journey, help me recover from this health crises, and give us the things our hearts' desire.' Maybe the truth is, we reflect less gratitude than we recognize, and we ask for far more than we realize. Are your prayer requests growing at the same rate as your prayer celebrations? What consumes your prayers?
As I perused social media, I learned that a friend of mine was sitting at a cancer treatment center and had just received unwelcomed news. Before she had taken the time to consider what one might learn on this journey, fear struck her heart as she asked the question, ‘why me, Lord?’ What one of us wouldn’t do the same? After sitting for a moment, she began to see things different with a smile coming to her from another person who was possibly facing the same dilemma. When we take our minds off ourselves, can we recognize our opportunity to learn and grow our faith? How can we remind ourselves to be more grateful in the good times rather than taking them for granted? How can we be more reflective in the bad experiences, wondering what potential God is trying to develop in us?
In this story, Jesus commends the man who returns to praise God. Jesus tells the man to “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19 ESV). There are many stories in the gospels that repeat this same message. To the sinful woman in Luke 7, Jesus responds, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50 ESV). To the woman who touched his garment in Luke 8, Jesus says, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48 ESV). See how many passages you can find where Jesus commends those whose faith has caused a favorable change.
Lesson #6
The last lesson that I uncovered in Luke chapter 17 told of an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees who had asked him for a sign of God’s Kingdom. Lest we fail to see this, Jesus shares that the Kingdom is not coming in the way that they could observe. God’s Kingdom was before them, but they didn’t have eyes to see it. I have never read in Scriptures of the self-righteous asking for sight. The self-righteous don’t realize they're without sight; also, I have never read a passage that says, 'Lord teach me to hear.' We believe that we hear perfectly. Jesus goes on to explain two familiar passages from the Old Testament. One is about Noah and the other is about Lot.
The point of both stories is the same. Life’s distractions cause us to lose our ability to see and hear. In the story of Noah, He says, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26-27 ESV) Then he repeats a similar account in the story of Lot when Jesus says, “Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:28-30 ESV) In each story they were involved in busyness. They were involved in what we would call day-to-day life. A life that seems more normal shouldn't be the one that guides us. We are promised a different life. One that rises above this one.
Do we realize that the Kingdom of God is with us here and now? Are we focused too fully on today’s agenda? Are we consumed with thoughts of that future day when we will see the Lord in the clouds? How can we live in the present moment with the right mindset? Will we be caught in a state of unawareness? Sleepwalking? Will we be shocked when Jesus returns? If we are too involved in this life, may we find that our activities distract us from the important work that God has assigned? How prepared are you for God's critique? Jesus warns, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” (Luke 17:33 ESV) What does this phrase ‘preserve his life’ mean to you? What plans get in the way of our understanding God’s Kingdom? What do our calendars reveal about who we are serving? Are we aware of all the time we waste on incidental activities?
Let me walk you through my email inbox. I spend way too much time cleaning up and deleting unwanted messages. Do you? My cellphone indicates that I’m not very good at this activity, as I see I have 5,433 unread messages. The misfortunate is that my computer, cellphone and iPad do not sync. What should be one and done takes far more effort as I need to delete the same email in multiple places. Does that mean I am ignoring something important? If you are like me, you will see oodles of unnecessary time wasters. My inbox reveals: Pottery Barn, Allegiant, American Eagle, Macy’s, Tom’s Bed Bath and Beyond, Yeti, Body Works, Wayfair, Royal Caribbean, CheapOair, Thriftbook, Pinterest, Dick’s Sporting goods, and that is only half the story. Thank goodness I can sort by name and wipe out a batch of emails that accumulate over time when I set my mind to it. How is it that we allow our lives to become so cluttered? Who controls our email inbox? I am convinced this has to be the devil. I don’t want to be deleting email messages when Jesus appears in the clouds. If Jesus revealed a story about the things that consumer our time today, what would He say, 'they were eating, drinking, going to water areobics, taking their kids to soccer practice, and deleting emails when I returned.'
Grow My Faith
In a simple review of the apostle’s request to increase their faith, I notice that Jesus is speaking to them about unworthy behavior, about forgiveness, about accountability, about expectations, about being blind to the truth, about being unprepared, and about neglecting gratitude. Maybe a better request than increase our faith would be, ‘Let me recognize the truth that you work all things for the good for those who are called according to your purpose. Give me opportunities that will increase my faith, even when they may be difficult. Help me be grateful for every lesson.’ Let’s not ask God to wrap up another package on a silver platter and present it to us, but rather let's consider the gift He has alread given us called redemption.
See how many Bible passages you can find in the gospels that teach us how we can grow our faith with the Holy Spirits' help. What can we learn by observing these examples?
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