Aug 12
Midweek Service
Luke 17: 5–6
“And the Apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ So the Lord said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.’”
Where are we in the Bible?
Luke 17:5–6 occurs within Jesus’ teaching on discipleship, particularly concerning forgiveness and humble service. After hearing that they must repeatedly forgive a repentant brother, the apostles feel overwhelmed and ask Jesus to increase their faith. His response teaches that discipleship is sustained not by human strength but by trusting dependence on God.
The mustard seed appears elsewhere in Jesus’ teachings as a symbol of both the kingdom’s growth and the power of faith. Throughout Scripture, God works through what seems small and weak, whether Gideon’s army, David before Goliath, a widow’s oil, or a few loaves and fish. The consistent biblical pattern is that God’s power is revealed through those who recognize their dependence upon Him.
Summary:
The message of Luke 17:5–6 is that God does not require extraordinary faith from His disciples; He calls them to place even their smallest measure of faith in His unlimited power. Faith is trust in God, not human achievement, and as believers rely on His strength rather than their own, deeply rooted obstacles can be overcome, relationships restored, and fear replaced with confident hope. Even seemingly small acts of faith become instruments of God’s transforming power, bringing change in suffering, relationships, and the lives of those who trust Him.
Foundational Reading
Scripture: Luke 17: 5-6
Catechism: 1.4