Readings:
Sermon:
I wonder, what is it that the disciples are asking for? [faith for miracles, faith for living, …]
You do not need more faith, Jesus smiles? Even this [pinch thumb and forefinger together] much is enough.
The chapter began with comments on causing others to stumble in their faith. If you cause another to stumble in their life of obedience to God, you deserve death. Shockingly strong words. The next words seem to be at odds with this first: Forgive those who repent of sin. Remember sin is destructive, harm has been caused. Forgive one who repents. Forgive even seven times in a day. (vv1-4). We are to live as disciples of Jesus. We are not lead one another astray. We are forgive one another. Being a disciple of Jesus is tough. No wonder the disciples cry out to Jesus to ‘increase our faith!
Jesus is not talking about faith for an extraordinary, wonder working, miracle filled life. He is talking about faith for ordinary, anonymous, faithful living the Christian life, together with all our sisters and brothers in Christ, as disciples of Jesus. Faith is for patience, forbearance, forgiveness. Faith is for serving as God our creator and saviour serves. The faith of which Jesus speaks is faith for living daily as a community of faith, with all our questions, doubts, weaknesses, need for mercy. And you don’t need much, what you do need it to exercise it. “Faith cannot be measured, only enacted.” Kimberley Bracken Long. Faith is seen in what people of faith do. In the first centuries of Christianity, there were no creeds to believe, but a way of life to lead.
You shall know them by their love. Christians were distinctive because of what they did. They were, for the most part, not the wealthy of society. They simply loved one another. Shared what they had. Met together to encourage one another, pray for one another, learn the faith and be encouraged to work out what it meant to live the faith in their work and home and city. Christians have always had a deep conviction that this is for Jesus, they are following the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus who came to serve and who calls us to serve.
Which brings us to the next section of our reading: Slavery is tricky. Jesus isn’t making a social comment on it here, he is simply using a very common reality to make a point. There were slaves, and, in that culture, slaves did what their owners asked in return for food, rest, protection. Slaves did not expect to be commended for what they were there to do. They got on with their work.
So too Jesus will not expect to be commended for what he will do. Jesus will be tempted to give up his mission. Jesus will be sinned against again and again as the legalism and jealousy of others slanders him and eventually has him arrested and executed.
When the disciples remember this exchange, as they do, because it is here in Luke’s Gospel, they look back on it understanding that Jesus was also speaking of himself. Jesus, God as a human being, came to serve. God pours out Godself for the world, because that is God. God loves. God gives. God serves. Jesus did the works prepared for him day by day. Didn’t he say that he does what says what his Father gives him to say, and does what his Father gives him to do (Jn 8:29)
And his disciples are to follow his example, to live by faith, in their worlds, serving God in gratitude for God’s saving, forgiving, life-giving love. Jesus disciples in Paul’s words in Eph 2:8-10:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” NRSV
They asked for more faith be able to live the challenging life of a disciple of Jesus. Perhaps what they needed and what we need is faith in the person, in Jesus. Not faith from Jesus to turn around and go and do. But faith in the Person and walking with the Person of Jesus in all that we are and do. Knowing God is with us, now, always, that’s the mustard seed of conviction.
The Book of Hebrews picks up this theme of Luke:
Heb 12:1-4
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” NRSV
Mustard seed faith is enough. A simple conviction that the risen and living Jesus continues living day by day with us through God the Holy Spirit. Opening ourselves day by day to Jesus, to God the Holy Spirit, to the Father, takes a tiny mustard seed of faith. We don’t need more. It is enough to be faithful disciples alongside our Saviour, being his hands and feet and voice in our worlds.