LITTLE FAITH
Matthew 14:13-33
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Why do we doubt?
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Is it because we fear failure?
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Is it because we know the laws of nature?
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Perhaps it’s because we live far from the edges
of the impossible?
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Maybe it’s because we are all too cynical or deeply
jaded to think outside the doubt box?
Often we hear the story of Peter’s
mini-walk upon the waves as a criticism of our own “little faith.” The text
surely has been preached that way. Yet, instead of hearing Jesus’ question as
deep criticism of our faith inadequacies and expecting to be admonished
severely from the pulpit, I would like to explore the reasons why we doubt…why
we have so little faith.
Little Faith shows up several times in Matthew’s gospel, but
we’re only going to look at two. Turn to Matthew 17 v 19. The disciples have
tried to cast a demon out of an epileptic man and they have failed. ”Why could
we not cast it out?” they wondered. “He said to them, ‘Because of your little
faith.’” If Matthew had stopped the story right there, we would only hear
“Because of your little faith” as a criticism, perhaps even as Jesus expressing
frustration or disdain for the disciples—and by extension, the same sentiment
toward us.
But Matthew doesn’t stop there, because Jesus didn’t stop
there. It’s important to In the very next
verse, we find out that Little Faith is not necessarily a bad thing; it is
actually quite powerful. What does Jesus go on to say there? [For truly I say
to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this
mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will
move, and nothing will be impossible for
you.” That sounds like a promise to me.
Look back to Matthew 8:26. This is the well familiar miracle
of Jesus’ calming the storm. The boat was being swamped by the waves and the
disciples were in fear of their lives. They woke up Jesus and begged him to
save them, for they were “perishing.” Mark records this same event in Chapter 4
of his gospel, verses 35-41: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And
what does Jesus say in both texts? “Why are you (so) afraid, O you of little
faith?” Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great
calm. It’s possible to hear Jesus as not only rebuking the winds and the sea
here, but also the disciples. Not a feel good moment—or was it?
While the disciples were being swamped by Mother Nature’s
fury, Jesus was talking to both the wind and the sea, “Peace. Be still.” When
we are afraid, we may beg Jesus for help. With little faith in our hearts,
however, we can borrow Jesus’ words, “Peace. Be Still.” As our little faith
grows more powerful, so does the nearness of the savior and the knowledge that
he is in complete control. That sounds like peace to me.
Finally, we are used to being convicted in our doubts by
Peter’s short-lived attempt to walk on water. Personally, I think Peter should
actually receive accolades here for just getting out of the boat! Peter
exhibited Little Faith when he saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. He
called to Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Look with me at Matthew 14:29. What does Jesus say to Peter as the other
disciples looked on in terror? Jesus said, “Come.” That sounds like invitation
to me.
Little Faith gives us the same invitation Jesus gave his
followers us to step out of the boat. “Come,” he said to Peter. “Come follow
me,” he said to James and John, Peter and Andrew. How about…“Come to me all you
who are weary and heavily burdened,” and “Let the little children come to me.” But
that’s not all.
Little Faith promises us gifts beyond measure. How about, “I
can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13); “My God will supply
all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).
Then there’s “I will never desert you nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews
13:5). Also, one I promise I know you will recognize: “Ask, and it will be
given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (MT
7:7).
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Why do we doubt? Are we not made to thrive in
promise, in peace and invitation, O we of Little Faith?
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Why should we doubt?
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With Little Faith we can move mountains from
here to there.
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With Little Faith, we can find Peace to carry us
through the most terrible storms we experience in our lives.
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And with Little Faith, we can keep our eyes on
Jesus and do whatever he commands us to do—even if it means getting out of the
boat in the middle of an angry sea.
There is no need to be doubters; Jesus calls us to be people
of Little Faith. For the day is surely coming when Jesus will set before us
five loaves and two fish and say to us of Little Faith, “You give them
something to eat.” That sounds like Big Faith to me! Amen.
February 8, 2015
First Parish Federated Church of South
Berwick, ME
The Reverend Donna Lee Muise, Pastor
