Reasonable Faith

One would expect that Jesus would indeed demonstrate faith for us. Not surprisingly we have already seen this faith demonstrated over and over just in Mark's gospel alone.

We have pondered and discussed God's will concerning the displays of faith thus far. We have concluded through our vast wisdom and understanding (read sarcasm here) that all the miracles performed by Jesus thus far were certainly born of God's Spirit since Jesus performed them (whether we ourselves would ever have known God's will or not). We have already reasoned by now that faith is a powerful tool requiring much understanding to wield its effect: in order to qualify the use of faith and insure its proper use, we have determined that God's Spirit leads the mature follower to "reasonable faith."

"Reasonable faith" covers all bases. God's will is considered, man's humanity is considered, and all is good... right?

As theologically correct as it may seem, I find it increasingly more difficult to put the two words "reasonable" and "faith" together in the same sentence. And even more difficult is the consideration of modifying the word "faith" with the adjective "reasonable."

Jesus pretty much destroyed all notions of "reasonable faith" in His display of faith to destroy a fig tree simply because there were no figs on it in today's NT reading (Mark 11.12-14, 20-25). What WAS God's will in this? What WAS Jesus demonstrating?

I propose Jesus was demonstrating faith - real faith - not reasonable faith - but pure and simple faith. And, to do so, Jesus chose to target this pure faith on something unmistakably outside the realm of sensibility - a fig tree out of season for fruit. This tree was not "sick" but only out of season. Everyone knew this! Jesus' miracle was in response to nothing except His own hunger!

And we waste so much theological effort to bring reason to faith... Like, what's going to happen - suddenly now will people start exercising miraculous faith and moving mountains and doing foolish things?

Jesus DID indeed however qualify this kind of faith. The person using this kind of faith must have complete forgiveness in his heart. It is NOT about the object of the faith. On the contrary, it is ALL ABOUT the condition of the heart.

The lesson is not so much about faith as it is forgiveness.

So, let's leave God's will out of it. The problem with the lack of miracles today has nothing to do with God's will but everything to do with unforgiveness in our hearts!

God help us.

Oh, back to sensibility, certainly we have faith and it must be a matter of God's will...

SO I AM OK! Right?

Right?

...Right?

Father, I am not at all satisfied with my faith. Show me unforgiveness in my heart today - help me to give it up and walk in the realm of the miraculous.