More faith

Have you ever wanted to have more faith? I know there have been more times than I can count, when I have asked God to give me more faith. Whether it was a challenging situation or a down time in my life, I have asked God in prayer to increase my faith and give me more of it to deal with life. I have wanted faith at times that can move mountains and trees. I have wanted faith that will give me strength and courage. I have wanted more faith in my life at times that will give me more patience and peace to deal with the brokenness. And I know I am not alone. In fact, Jesus very disciples asked Him to increase and give them more faith. And Jesus has the most interesting of responses. The story plays out in Luke 17:5-10.

In Luke's Gospel, he records a time when the disciples ask Jesus for a favor. The disciples have come to realize by this point in their journey, that Jesus is truly the Messiah and the Son of God. So when the disciples want or need something, they know exactly where to turn. So one day the disciples come to Jesus with a simple, yet very deep and important request. The disciples ask Jesus to, "increase our faith". This is a great request. Who would not want the Savior Himself to give them more faith? Just like we have all the time, the disciples know they need more faith to survive this life spiritually. The disciples have even seen real live faith in action through all the miracles that the Savior has preformed. So why would the disciples not want more faith, so they too can do great works for God? I know I would love to have more faith in my life so I too could do great works for God.

But it is Jesus response that is shocking and where the teaching of faith plays out. Jesus first responds to the request by telling the disciples that if they had even just a little more faith, they would be able to move a tree with a command. Just like I bet the disciples are thinking, I would respond with, "that is exactly the point Jesus, I want more faith so I can make a tree move and do other great works in your name". But Jesus next response kills that thought immediately.

Jesus second response to the request for more faith comes in the form of a parable. Jesus gives a parable about a servant and a master. Jesus shows in the short parable that to be a servant is to do the will of the master. Jesus shows his disciples that a true servant of the master is one who obeys the commands to the point that they go about their business and obedience like it is normal activity. Jesus shows that the servant lives for the will and obedience to the master. And just like I bet the disciples are doing, I now am scratching my head with Jesus second response to the request for more faith.

But as every parable goes, the point of the parable is the point of the answer to the request. The point of the parable is the obedience of the servant to the will of the master. Jesus is telling His disciples that they are the servants and God is the master. Jesus shows the point of the parable of obedience, is the point of the answer to the request. Simply put Jesus gives them the answer of, "it is not about more faith but about more obedience". Jesus clearly tells the disciples with the parable that faith comes from obedience and more faith comes from more obedience. To desire more faith should desire more obedience. To obey God is to have faith. The more they obey God and His will, the more their faith will increase.

So to sum this thought and my desire up, would go something like this; I should not desire more faith, I should desire more obedience. It is good to want to have great faith. But greater faith comes from greater obedience. It is good to want to have more faith to do more for God. But the greatest good I can do for God is simple obedience to His will. So to ask for more faith, Jesus would answer me the same way today; obey my Father and you will have more faith. The greatest, purest, and deepest faith that we can have is obedience to the will of the Father. Obedience is true faith.