This is a copy of the message given at Lane Cove uniting Church by Andrew Corish on Sunday 2nd October
Luke 17:5-10 Increase our Faith In our passage today from Luke, the disciples ask Jesus to “increase our faith”. Perhaps it is a bit surprising that the disciples felt a need for more faith, considering they had Jesus there with them to guide them. But they were facing perilous times and an uncertain future. Many of us have felt the need that if only we had more faith, things would be easier. So, what is “faith”; how much do we need; how can we get more? I googled “faith” in Luke’s gospel. It came up with 5 incidences where Jesus used the word faith and complemented people for their faith. There were another 2 times where he criticised people for their lack of faith, in both cases being the disciples. The first instance is in Luke 5:17. Jesus is teaching in Galilee, and it said Pharisees and lawyers came from Jerusalem and every town and village in Israel, such was his fame, and he was drawing huge crowds. It seems he was teaching in an open-air venue under a roof, probably in a synagogue. Just then some men came, carrying a paralysed man on a stretcher. They were unable to approach Jesus such was the density of the crowd. Somehow, they managed to get around the back of the building and climbed on the roof with ropes and removed the tiles above Jesus’ head. Then they let down the man slowly until he came to the ground in front of Jesus. Jesus was impressed and bemused. The passage said, “when Jesus saw their faith” he told the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” And he healed the man who went home glorifying God. So, it was the faith, not only of the paralysed man, but of his friends helping him and it was faith characterised by courage, initiative, determination and trust in Jesus. It led to healing and a new life. The second story is from Luke 7. Jesus is in Capernaum. There is a Roman Centurion who sends Jewish elders to Jesus to ask him to come. He has a slave he is concerned about who is close to death. The elders impress upon Jesus how he is worthy of Jesus coming, as he loves our people and built our synagogue. That’s strange, isn’t it. That a Roman would be so supportive of Jews and their religion. And that the Centurion would be so concerned about a slave, treating him more like a family member. So, Jesus comes. But the Centurion changes his mind. He sends Jesus a message. Please don’t come any further because I am not worthy, and I didn’t presume to trouble you by coming to you. Just say the word and my slave will be healed. Because I too have authority and say to come, and people come, and go and they go. And indeed, his commands were a matter of life and death. Jesus is impressed and says, “not even in Israel have I found such faith.” It is faith showing humility, and trust in Jesus and his authority. It is faith directed at helping someone in need. The third story is later in Chapter 7. Jesus has been invited to dinner by a Pharisee. It is apparently more a public event and people had access to it. A “woman of the city”, a sex worker, brought an alabaster jar of ointment and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. We know from Paul in Corinthians how forbidden it was for women to be in public with hair unveiled. So, this was an act of abandonment of her dignity by this woman. And the Pharisee thought “if this man was a prophet, he would have known what kind of woman she is and who is touching him.” Jesus then criticises the Pharisee for his lack of charity and hospitality. But to the woman he says, “your sins are forgiven.” And then, “your faith has made you well, go in peace.” Again, faith which showed courage, persistence, trust; willingness to risk everything. Leading to forgiveness. And the chance to start a new life. Her faith made her well and she received peace.” Then to 8:42. Jesus is making his way through a dense crowd who are jostling him. There is a woman, who had suffered haemorrhages for 12 years and had spent all her money on useless cures. Now she was an outcast and no one would touch her or come near her, such was the taboo against her. But she got in her mind; that if she could just touch the fringe of his clothes, she could be healed. And she did and immediately felt it. But Jesus stopped and said, “and who touched me?” Peter said to the effect, “don’t be ridiculous Jesus, everyone is touching you.” But Jesus said, “no, someone touched me because I felt the power go out of me.” And the woman came forward trembling, because she was an unclean person and had touched a Rabbi. And he told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” So again, courage, trust and persistence; leading to healing and a new life and peace. Next in chapter 17. Jesus is approaching Jerusalem and is approached by 10 lepers and heals them and they go on their way. But one turns back and prostrates himself at Jesus’ feet and thanks him. And he is a hated Samaritan. And Jesus, somewhat bemused, says ironically, “were there not 10 made clean. Where are the other 9 good Jewish boys. Were none found to return and give praise to God except for this Foreigner?” Then he turns to the man and says, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.” Now he had already been previously cured of leprosy. Jesus is talking about making him really well; in mind and spirit and being made right with God. By prostrating himself before Jesus, Jesus said he is giving “praise to God.” So, it is a story of faith and gratitude, giving thanks to God by recognising Jesus, and being really healed in body and soul. Final one, Chapter 18. They are approaching Jericho and a blind beggar calls out “Son of David have mercy on me.” And wouldn’t stop and be silenced despite others sternly speaking to him. But Jesus stops. And asked him to be brought to him. The beggar asks to be healed. And Jesus says, “receive your sight, your faith has saved you.” Courage, persistence, faith leading to healing and starting a new life. Two other times Jesus mentions “faith”. In chapter 12 Jesus tells his disciples, don’t worry about what you eat or what you wear. By worrying can they add a single hour to their lives? Consider the beautiful lilies of the field, here today and gone tomorrow. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these; “you of little faith”, Jesus said Isn’t that interesting. It seems Jesus was not into being judgemental and inducing guilt and fear to control people, as his church subsequently did and emphasised. His critics more than anything criticised Jesus for partying and eating with tax collectors and sinners and having a good time. Here he is saying, faith is about not being anxious and worrying about small things. Just focus on the kingdom of God and everything will be OK. Secondly in Chapter 8, Jesus is in a boat on the sea of Galilee at night. A great storm arises, and the boat begins sinking and disciples fear for their lives. But they see Jesus asleep and wake him and say, “we are perishing” and doesn’t he care. Jesus stills the storm and tells the disciples, “Where is your faith?” So, if Jesus is with you, even in a crisis, you have no need to fear. Returning to our bible story today in Ch 17. What does Jesus say in in answer to the disciples request to “increase our faith” He says, “if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you.” Jesus liked a good allegory. He paints vivid word pictures. He particularly liked the analogy of the mustard seed. It is mentioned 7 times in the gospels, including that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. The miracle of a tiny seed producing a great tree and particularly useful ones like mustard trees and mulberry trees. The point Jesus is making is that; you don’t need much. You in fact have more than enough faith already. You just have to put it into action. He goes on in the passage today, to speak of the slave coming in from the field. He can’t then sit down at this master’s table and expect to be fed. He has his duty to perform in first serving is master. So also, do we. We have our duties to perform in assisting and helping others. We have no basis to feel too proud of ourselves if we are just being what we should be as Christians, loving the Lord your God will all your heart and soul and loving your neighbour as yourself. So, from these stories, faith seems to involve courage, persistence, ingenuity, humility, helping others, giving thanks to God. It involves not being anxious or fearful. Above all it involves showing trusting in Jesus. Not trying force yourself to believe a set of increasing unbelievable dogma which the church has been so obsessed with over the ages. Just believing in Jesus and honouring him and by doing so, honouring God. And then acting upon it. And remembering; you only need faith the size of a mustard seed. See how small the mustard seed is? I have put some out on plates at the exit. Pick up a few grains after the service. That is all the faith you need. If you have that much faith, you can do anything and be anything you want to be. And you never need to be worried or anxious or fearful again. What a miracle. Rose Kennedy the matriarch of Kennedy dynasty in America said, “I have come to the conclusion that the most important element in human life is faith.” I think that is probably true. Amen Andrew Corish
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