Okay, so I decided to go back and reread a few of the more common Bible verses and break them down more, to see WHY they mean what they do and what message we should walk away with through the context. Here is my first go at it. Disclaimer: I am NO theologian, nor do I consider myself in any way, shape or form an expert...just one gal with an opinion.
"He told them, "Because of your lack of faith. I tell you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
I read, reread, looked up the context and a few meanings, then reread this verse again today.
On the surface and out of context, it looks like it is saying that faith in God will give you the strength to move mountains, meaning seemingly endless possibilities.
But I am me, so I like to read into verses and learn the context and historical perspective when I look at well-known verses.
Then I read a few of the commentaries I found about the verse and summed up their explanation as this verse illustrates God's power and we should have faith in Him.
Okay...
So that explanation didn't cut it for me. I felt this verse has more meaning that what I was finding especially since I see the verse out of context being used in such a positive and reverent way. People wear necklaces with mustard seeds on them, so there is more to it that would related to people's lives to choose to wear a mustard seed.
Here is my humble opinion...
Context: I know that this verse was Jesus speaking to the disciples privately after they were unable to heal a man, after which Jesus was able to heal the man...
Historical Relevance: I know that a mustard seed is very small and the use of it was an illustration for the disciples to emphasize how small He is referring. I also know that referring to moving a mountain was also an illustration (then and now) to describe a task that is seemingly impossible...
Fact: One thing about mustard seeds...although they are very small (like 1-2mm small) they GROW!
A mustard seed...
Will grow into this...
Knowing this, I take the verse to mean that it only takes a little faith to help you grow spiritually, as in your first steps as a Christian. A seed represents the beginning, a new life. When you accept Christ, you in essence are a "new life." And just as the plant grows, so will your faith; from an almost non-existant speck to a full force shown through your actions.
Now I am me, so that wasn't enough for me, so I did some more research. I learned through that research that mustard seeds, unlike other seeds, do not change when grown near other plants. Some plants cannot be grown around just anything because they take on the characteristics of the plants around them. For example, certain plants cannot be planted around a black walnut tree because of the toxins it produces. Other plants tend to change in their form or taste if planted close to other plants. (and no, I didn't know this I looked it up) The mustard seed however will grow as a mustard seed no matter where it is planted, unwavering from its plan to grow.
That is what Jesus is talking about...not necessarily the amount of faith that one has, but the steadfast, unwavering faith. Jesus criticized the disciples for not being firm in their faith. Yes, it only takes a small amount of faith to believe that God can do anything, but I don't think that is what we should take from this verse. The person with the biggest faith can doubt and question. God wants us to have unwavering faith and uses the mustard seed as an illustration of something that can grow amongst all the changes and hazards and still turn out strong.
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