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For the disciples,
following Jesus led them on the greatest adventure of
their lives. Most probably they never imagined what
they would experience following Jesus. Jesus has a way
of pulling us out of our ordinary lives calling us to
discipleship. Several of the disciples were fishermen,
whose only concern was catching enough fish to make a
living. Jesus told them to recast their nets, from that
moment on they would be catching bigger fish, they would
be fishers of men and women, winning people over to the
kingdom. The task before them loomed enormous, as it
does for us today.
At times it might have
been overwhelming for them as it is for us as well. The
disciples saw what Jesus did and knew deep in their
hearts that they could never do the same. It is easy to
become discouraged, we want quick fixes, immediate
results and become frustrated when things do not happen
as quickly as we wish they would. It might have been
one of those moments for the disciples when they asked
Jesus, “Increase our faith!” With additional faith they
might be able to do some of what Jesus expected of them.
On the surface this seems like an honorable request.
Maybe you have even
felt that way yourself. If you had more faith, then you
could do more of what is expected of us as modern day
disciples of Jesus. If we are not careful that easily
becomes our excuse, “if only I had more faith” we say
remaining in the same lack-luster life. Jesus calls us
as his modern day disciples and expects our best
efforts. Too often we settle for less.
Jesus replied to the
disciples’ request, “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.” Jesus was not scolding them for their lack of
faith but rather was affirming them for the faith they
already had. “If you had faith the size of a mustard
seed,” Jesus told them, and you do! The disciples
already had faith enough to uproot trees! The same is
true for each one of us, we already possess the faith we
need to move mountains!
The mustard seed is one
of the smallest seeds, just a speck on your finger, but
that tiny seed yields a large bush. Jesus was telling
the disciples, and us, that faith often begins and is
lived out with small steps.
Each of us possesses
seed-sized faith. We begin our journey with Jesus by
taking small steps. We are not going to change the
world over night. But we can impact our families, our
neighbors and our community. What a difference we could
make in our community if each one of us took small steps
of showing love and concern for someone who is
struggling. We know that prayer makes a difference in
our lives, what would happen if we devoted extended time
of prayer for people in our community. With our seed
sized faith we are able to forgive someone who has
wronged us. We already have all the faith we need to
live Christ-filled lives.
It is never a question
of having more faith but rather using the amazing faith
we have already. I believe that we have everything we
need, right here in our church. With our faith we can
accomplish what may at first seem impossible. We
believe that with God all things are possible. We have
the power! Even a small amount of faith can and does
have an enormous effect. The question then becomes what
is holding us back? Why have we settled for less? When
Jesus told his disciples that they already had enough
faith, he was telling them that it was time to step up
in faith. The same is true for us, it is time for us to
step up and no longer settle for mundane. It is time
for us to kick it into high gear! There are people
living in our neighborhoods and on our streets who
desperately need Jesus and be connected to a Christian
fellowship.
There was one more
lesson Jesus wanted his disciples, and us, to understand
about having more faith. We respond out of an attitude
of humility as we live out our lives as disciples. We
never think that we are better than anyone else. Such
an attitude will never win another person over to Jesus
but will do the exact opposite, turn the person
completely off to maters of faith. Jesus reminded them
and us of our place, “Who among you would say to your
slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep
in the field ‘Come here at once and take your place at
the table’?” We have discovered that whenever Jesus
asks, “Who among you,” the answer is always no one. No
one would do such a thing. No one would even consider
doing such a thing.
Instead we do what is
expected of us without calling attention to ourselves.
We step out in faith pointing the way to Jesus and not
to gain recognition from others. We promote Jesus and
not ourselves. We give Jesus the credit and not
ourselves. When we live out our faith, doing what is
expected of us, may we respond, “We have done only what
we ought to have done!”
Today we celebrate
World Communion Sunday joining with our sisters and
brothers around the world at the Lord’s Table. On this
one day, twenty-four hours, believers from every part of
the world will receive the bread and cup of our Lord
Jesus. Some will gather in simple churches while others
in cathedrals. People will hear the words of Jesus in
their own native language, Spanish, or French, or
German, or English, or Korean or a host of other
languages. People will come dressed reflecting various
cultures.
Churches
have different doctrines and theology; however, on this
World Communion Sunday those issues that tend to divide
us are put aside. We are all one in Christ. We
celebrate as the worldwide universal church—the body of
Christ.
It is time
that we recognize our faith potential. If every
believer lived out their faith, using their own
seed-sized faith that they already possess what a
difference Christians would make in our world! He
church would no longer seem irrelevant to many people.
Instead of repelling people away the church would draw
people in and in the process they would meet Jesus. Our
seed-sized faith is strong and powerful enough to uproot
trees and hurl them into the sea. May we go out living
that faith.
Amen.
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