Four separate times in Jesus' recorded ministry, we find the Lord rebuking His disciples with the stern words, "...O you of little faith..." Each instance is found with unique circumstances, and discussing varying causes for the lack of faith in the disciples. We can benefit greatly by the intermittent shortcomings seen in the apostles, if we will but learn from their error and the Lord's correction.

REGARDING WORRY

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus admonished His followers not to worry. Our concerns should not rest upon the body and the things we need to subsist, for the Lord knows these and is ready to supply them (6:32). Rather, our focus ought to be on the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of God. Jesus ask, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (6:27) Indeed, we accomplish nothing by worrying, except to distract ourselves from the things which demand our attention.

Notice the statement wherein Jesus examines the faith of a worrier. "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (6:30). Worry in the child of God is evidence that we do not trust God to do what He has promised. If the Lord gives such wonderful care to the grass, how greater will His concern be for us, who are created in His own image? And indeed, Jesus assures us, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (6:33)

If we will set the work of the kingdom and the pursuit of righteous living at the forefront of our thoughts and actions, then we can have full assurance that the needs of the body will be met adequately by our loving Father.

REGARDING FEAR

Matthew 8:23-27 records a boat trip across the sea of Galilee. As the ride became rough, the disciples began to panic; but the Lord was fast asleep. They woke Jesus, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" (8:25)

Rather than commend them for waking Him, that He might deal with the peril which had come upon them, Jesus spoke, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" (8:26) Their fear of danger bore witness to their failure to rely upon God. They became the counter-example of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, who being cast to a fiery furnace placed their confidence in God, whether they would be granted life or death (Daniel 3:13-18).

The apostle Paul is exemplary, who endured many hazards and hardships, yet glorified God in these (2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 12:10). Jesus assures us that we need not fear if we are a child of God, "...do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:28-31)

REGARDING DOUBT

On another sail across the sea of Galilee, Jesus sent the disciples ahead, and came to them walking on the water (Matthew 14:23-33). Having revealed himself to them (for they thought he was a ghost), Peter sought further confirmation. "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." (14:28) The Lord invited him to walk on water. But, we read, "...when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!'" (14:30) His faith collapsed.

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (14:31) Peter made an amazing display of faith, stepping out over the edge of the boat. He walked on water! One step, two step... And then, rather than walking by faith, Peter walked by sight. And seeing wind and wave, he began to sink.

Paul wrote, "...we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7) Time and again we are told through Hebrews 11, that men and women of the Lord acted "...by faith..." That requires us to look beyond things temporary and at the things which are eternal (Hebrews 11:13-16, 24-26; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18). We need to have the boldness of faith which Peter exhibited, but not fall into the same manner of uncertainty, for God is faithful.

REGARDING HUMAN REASONING

After being tested by the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:1-12), Jesus warned His disciples, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." (16:6) In the context, we are told that in their travelling, the disciples "...had forgotten to take bread." (16:5) Thus, having heard the Lord's caution about the leaven of the religious leaders, the disciples "...reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.'" (16:7)

What were they thinking? They displayed the same lack of faith which we see in Nicodemus. Jesus tried to teach him about the spiritual birth, but he couldn't get his mind beyond the physical realm (John 3:1-8). Jesus' words to Nicodemus, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?" (3:10) To His disciples, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? ...How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? — but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (16:8, 11)

The apostle Paul wrote, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) To omit spiritual discernment when it comes to the word of God is to completely miss the point. Paul continued with the Corinthians, "...I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ..." (3:1) We are useless to the Lord and to our brethren if our understanding and response to the word is governed by a lack of spiritual sense. Having said such, we must be so careful to let the word mean what it says, not what we want it to say. Some make the Bible jump through illogical intellectual hoops to come up with an interpretation. Such is NOT spiritual understanding!

Friends, let us not be people of little faith. Jesus' rebuke of His disciples these four times was not only for their benefit, but it was recorded that you and I might not falter in the same fashion. Let us be strong in faith, grounded in the Scriptures and in the hope of heaven.

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Elijah and Moses appeared many centuries after they died (Mark 9:2-4), but only God is eternal (1 Timothy 6:15-16). Is there a contradiction?