Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence.

“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you 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

The discussion in Matthew 17:20 was prompted by an event where the disciples failed to cast out a demon from a boy. The disciples encountered a man who had brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. Prior to this, the man had brought the boy to the disciples, who were not able to heal him.

Jesus responds to the failure to heal the boy with the words: “You unbelieving and perverse generation.” Jesus says, “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (Matthew 17:17) He is speaking to the people as well as the disciples about their small faith but more so about their doubt in the possibility of God healing someone.

The disciples then ask Jesus. “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” (Matthew 17:19) That’s when Jesus explains in verse 20: "Because you have so little faith." He then teaches them about the power of even a tiny amount of genuine faith — the mustard seed.

Their failure to cast out the demon led to a private moment of teaching about faith and spiritual authority that continues to encourage all believers today.
Some key takeaways from this teaching:

• Jesus tells His disciples that their inability to perform a miracle was due to their lack of faith.
  
• He emphasizes that faith as small as a mustard seed is enough — mustard seeds are tiny, symbolizing that even a little genuine faith carries great power.
  
• This is a metaphor for the impossible — true faith can overcome massive obstacles or challenges.
  
• Jesus ends by saying that "nothing will be impossible for you" with faith — underscoring the potential of trusting God completely.
  

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.