This week, we are beginning a sermon series, “Moving Mountains.” It is an appropriate way to begin 2021, especially in light of events in Washington D.C. yesterday.
The world is such a complicated place, and lately it is hard to tell up from down. One thing is certain however, WE HAVE MOUNTAINS TO MOVE - huge mountains that stand in our way and separate us from one another, and from God. They are not physical mountains, but as unsurmountable as they seem, they might as well be.
The question is - how does one move a mountain?
2020 and now 2021 has seen us all trying to move mountains by throwing our weight into them. It is an interesting conundrum that the more weight we throw, the less the mountains move.
This week, we will have several passages from Matthew, including Matthew 17:20. To put this in context, Jesus has just been transfigured on the mountain (interesting parallel), in the presence of Peter, James, and John. When they come down from the mountain, a crowd is waiting for them.
A man comes to kneel before Jesus, and asks Jesus to have mercy on his son - he is afflicted with seizures. He brought the boy to the disciples, but they were unable to heal him. Imagine for a moment what that looked like. Jesus asks that the boy be brought to Him, ad He heals him. Afterward, in a private moment, the disciples ask Jesus why they failed.
His answer may be seen as critical, but to me, it is just matter of fact.
They lack faith. Specifically, faith the size of a mustard seed. Ever see a mustard seed? It’s pretty tiny.
We have anger larger than our physical bodies, and it changes nothing. If you could only have faith the size of a seed that would fit on your index finger, it changes everything.
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Just a little faith - just a little faith.
And one huge mountain - gone.
Pastor Tracy