What Jesus Did! 'Mustard-Seed Faith' — Matthew 17:19-20

Friday, August 15, 2025

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?"

"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

— Matthew 17:19-20 NLT

Key Thought

Small mindedness is pretty bad, but small faith is much worse. Small mindedness keeps us from seeing the grandeur, the expanse, and the plan of God. Small faith means we see little more than what we can do ourselves.

Jesus had given his followers authority to cast out demons and cure diseases. The issue was not whether they were capable or had the power. They simply had very small faith. Now, I'm not sure if the problem was caused by Jesus' absence, the seriousness of the boy's condition, the hardness of their hearts, or all three combined. However, they lost faith that Jesus would do what he said he would do through them.

So many of us lost the faith that Jesus will do what he promised. Jesus reminds us that it doesn't take a lot of faith - just a mustard-seed amount. If that's there, then through Jesus, it becomes powerful and mighty.

Today's Prayer

Father, I ask you to grow my faith stronger and bolder. I believe dear Father, but help me believe even more! I will seek to serve you trusting in your supply of power, strength, and guidance. I make this request and this commitment from the depths of my soul, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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10 Related Resources by Heartlight

"Do" the "Do"
Illustration of Matthew 17:20
I tell you the truth, 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
Dare to Dream
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Do you dare dream for the road ahead? Tom Norvell shares about moving into a new home and his dreams for the future.
Is God Listening to My Prayers?
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Prayer that the Father hears is directed to him in faith with an unselfish attitude, seeking to bless and honor God's will because of our love for the Father. Bill Sherrill reminds us about the importance of prayer and how we should pray to honor God.
Impossible?
Article by Tom Norvell
Are you too young to know it is impossible? Tom Norvell Reminds us of the movie Amazing Grace and how William Pitt and Wilberforce did the impossible and overturned the slave trade in Great Britain and he calls on us to dream big dreams and do the impossible.
See All 10 Related Resources about Matthew 17:19-20

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 17:19-20 NLT — "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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