What is the Faith that Moves Mountains?
And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief. For verily I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. Matthew 17:20
What is the Faith that Moves Mountains?
Jesus said, if we have (strong) faith, we can move mountains, and nothing will be impossible to us. Who doesn't want this kind of faith? But how come most people do not experience it? Jesus then went on to explain what this "faith" is like.
1. Faith is NO Unbelief (Doubt) At All
Jesus said the reason His disciples could not cast out the demons is because of their "unbelief". In other words, if they had no "unbelief" (doubt) at all, they should have been able to expel the demons. But what does it mean by "no doubt at all"? I would like to illustrate this with the work of prophet Samuel.
When God commanded Samuel to anoint another King to replace Saul, he went to the house of Jesse. Jesse then asked his seven sons to pass before Samuel, but he could not find the one that God has chosen. So what did Samuel do? He questioned the father! "Are here all thy children?" (1 Sam 16:11) I find this so remarkable because who would have doubted the father for not knowing the number of his sons? However, Samuel immediately doubted Jesse because what he said was contrary to what God has said. Since it is impossible for God to be wrong, so it must be Jesse! Samuel had NO unbelief at all! And that was probably why everything he said came to pass!
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Sam 3:19
2. Faith is Like a Mustard Seed
What does it mean by having faith like a mustard seed? Jesus explained it in Mark 4:31-32.
It (Faith) is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. Mark 4:31-32
Mustard seed has 3 characteristics. One, it is the smallest of its kind; Two, it needs to grow and develop; Three, it becomes the largest when grown and protects all lives lodging under it. Likewise, FAITH IN GOD starts out to be the smallest (most people believe in doctors more than divine healing), it needs to be developed, but it has the greatest power when fully grown. I believe this is why when Jesus' disciples asked Him why they could not cast out the demons, He replied, "But this kind (of demons) goes out not but by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:21) If I have interpreted correctly, what Jesus meant was, since this kind of demons is very cunning (they tormented the person to scare the disciples), His disciples will need more faith which can only be developed by prayer and fasting.
Faith of Peter
Importance of FAITH can be seen in another Bible character Peter; When he saw Jesus walking on water, he was so astonished that he forgot all his unbeliefs that he also could walk on water. However, when he started to doubt, he immediately sinks.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:28-31
After Pentecost, Peter's mustard seed faith grew and he healed the sick, cast out demons and performed many miracles. This is a clear example on how one develops his faith through his own practice and guidance of the Holy Spirit.