The Size of a Mustard Seed?

Faith is Not a Substance: Part 2

If you look up Matthew 17:20 or Luke 17:6 in the NIV (which I don’t recommend), the translators insert words to fit their theology. They write, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this…” The words or even the concept of “as small as” is nowhere to be found in the Greek. Rather, in the Greek it reads, “faith as a mustard seed.” This is referring to the manner in which faith operates, not the size of its substance.

The translators, however, have a theology that is being imposed upon their selection of English words. Other translations are translated, “faith the size of a mustard seed.” This also is incorrect theological translation. The implication of size is not in the Greek. Rather, it is often inferred from the context surrounding it speaking of growth.

Every time Jesus uses concepts and wording of faith or unbelief, he is talking about the degree in which you are positioned in rest. How well or to what intensity are you trusting, relying, or being supported? Are you resting in the source to do the work for you? I believe the conclusion here is that if you rest in the source, its power will flow through you.

Matthew 17:20
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Mustard was understood very well by farmers in that culture as an invasive plant. They knew that if a mustard plant and its seed were found in a crop, it could be very deadly to that crop. The mustard seed germinates extremely fast. It grows out of control and consumes all of the vegetation around it. It attracts birds that destroy crops, eating seed and grain. Mustard was the dread of agriculture because it consumes and cannot be controlled.

Jesus is comparing this to faith. He is saying that when you rest in the source and begin to see that power work in your life it will consume you. It will press you deeper and deeper into that source until the power of God has consumed all of your fear and desires. If you have rest in the source that works, it consumes you like a mustard seed you will come to the place where nothing is impossible. You will be in a position to say to this mountain “move” and it will obey you.

In Matthew 13:33, Jesus also compares the way a mustard seed works to the way that yeast works. Leaven will affect and consume the whole dough when it is introduced. It is referring to the way that faith (or the kingdom) affects your heart and mind (that is your soul); it leavens and consumes you. Faith takes YOU over. Therefore, it is not talking about a substance that begins in a small amount and then grows into more substance. It is talking about consumption.

PART 3