YE OF LITTLE FAITH, YE OF GREAT FAITH

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He has mentioned this phrase “ye of little faith” several times. Let’s look at some examples of these events from the gospel and observe what lessons we can learn from these events.

The first example is from Matthew 14:22-33. This is the account of Jesus walking on the sea. Peter saw Him and he walked on the water to go to Jesus and when he saw that the waters were boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink. Jesus immediately stretched out His hand, caught him and said “O ye of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

The second example is from Matthew 8:23-24, whereby Jesus and His disciples were on a boat when a great tempest arose on the sea. They were afraid and cried out to Jesus to save them. Jesus said to them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea and there was calm.

Another great example is in Matthew 16:5-12. Jesus warned the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees when they had forgotten to take bread. Jesus once again said to them “O ye of little faith” and asked why they did not understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets they took up.

In contrast, let’s also look at some examples of people who had great faith in Jesus. 

First, in Matthew 8:5-13, the centurion’s servant was lying at home paralyzed and Jesus wanted to go to heal him. However, the centurion understood authority and said that he was not worthy that Jesus should come under his roof. He believed that Jesus just needed to speak a word to heal his servant. Jesus marveled, and said “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not even in Israel.”

The next example is taken from Matthew 9:20-22. A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of Jesus’s garment,  reasoning that she will be well in doing so. Jesus responded “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

In Matthew 15:21-28, a Gentile woman of Canaan whose daughter was severely demon possessed travelled from afar and asked for help. Jesus’ disciples wished to send her away, however, His conversation with the woman had marvelled Jesus and He said “O woman, great is thy faith! Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

The last example is in Mark 2:1-12 when Jesus was in Capernaum. There came four men bringing a paralytic to Jesus but they could not come near as it was too crowded. So, they uncovered the roof and let down the bed for their paralysed friend to reach Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven you” and healed him.

From the above stories, what can we learn? As Christians, do we have little faith or do we have great faith? What is faith? How can we grow from a little faith to a greater faith? 

Well, Hebrews 11:1 gives us the answer: “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. In the world, people only believe things that they have seen then they believe. Is that the case for a Christian? In 2 Corinthians 5:7, we are told to walk by faith and not by sight. In addition, as a Christian, sometimes when we ask of God we should believe in what we ask and we shall receive. This is a demonstration of great faith in God (Matthew 21:22 and James 1:6). It is important to note that the faith that a Christian has is not blind faith but is evidence-based.

How can we grow from a little faith to a greater faith? Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Also in James 1:2-4, that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. When perseverance has finished its work, we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

In conclusion, we as Christians should not just have little faith but we should have great faith and great trust in our God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Ask Yourself:

1)  What is faith?

2) How can we grow from a little faith to a greater faith?

3) Can we please God without faith?

Suggested Answers:

1) Hebrews 11:1

2)  Romans 10:17, James 1:2-4

3) Hebrews 11:6