Luke 17:1-2, 5-6 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:1-2, 5-6 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 17Jesus said to his disciples, "Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! Verse 2It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Verse 5The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Verse 6The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
Devotion
In Luke’s text, the apostles just heard Jesus’ warning against causing one of his followers to “stumble” (17:1-2). With understandable concern, they plead, “Increase our faith!” (17:5). Jesus reassures them that God works great things through even the tiniest amount (a mustard seed’s worth) of faith.
A mustard seed is tiny! Make Ahead Cabbage Slaw from my North Valley Smorgasbord of Recipes calls for one tablespoon of mustard seeds. If I put in only one mustard seed, it will make a difference—particularly in one forkful of slaw. However, if I put in one tablespoon of seeds, there will be a larger flavorful impact throughout the bowl of salad. If we join our mustard seeds of faith, what far greater things will God do through us together? By trusting God to work through us as a community of believers, could we “uproot” the great evils of disease, poverty, and injustice?
Prayer
Omnipotent God, we glorify you for your willingness to work through us, even when our faith is as small as a mustard seed. Help us join together in faith to do your great, good works and to confront evil throughout the world. Amen.