Faith is one of the most powerful themes in Jesus’ teachings, and He makes it clear that it’s not about how much we have, but where we place it. Whether He’s highlighting the impact of faith as small as a mustard seed or praising the unwavering belief of a Roman centurion, Jesus shows us that even the tiniest amount of faith can unlock the impossible when it’s rooted in Him. His words challenge us to let go of doubt, trust fully in God’s power, and believe that mountains—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—can truly be moved.
Jesus also teaches that faith is active. It’s not just believing—it’s reaching out for healing, coming to God for forgiveness, standing firm during life’s storms, and persistently seeking Him in prayer. Time and again, He connects faith with action, with healing, with peace, and with hope. Through His life and His words, He shows us that faith isn’t a passive feeling but a courageous trust in God’s character and promises.
Ready to explore these truths more deeply? Keep reading as we take a closer look at what Jesus says about faith—and how His words can strengthen your own walk with God.
Faith is a cornerstone of Christianity, and Jesus’ teachings on faith are profound, direct, and transformative. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of faith, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into what Jesus says about faith, how He demonstrated it, and how we can apply His teachings in our lives.
1. Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed
One of Jesus’ most famous teachings on faith is found in Matthew 17:20. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, 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.”
A mustard seed is tiny, yet Jesus uses it to illustrate the immense power of even the smallest amount of faith. It’s not about the size of your faith but the power of the One you have faith in. This teaches us that our faith, even if it feels small, can achieve great things when placed in God.
2. Faith Without Doubt
In Mark 11:23, Jesus further emphasizes the power of unwavering faith: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
Doubt can often be a stumbling block. Jesus teaches that faith must be genuine and free from doubt. This doesn’t mean we won’t have moments of uncertainty, but it calls us to trust God fully.
3. The Healing Power of Faith
Jesus often linked faith with healing. In Matthew 9:22, He tells a woman who had been suffering for twelve years, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” Her belief in Jesus’ power brought about her healing.
Another instance is found in Mark 5:34, where Jesus tells a woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” These stories illustrate that faith is not just about belief but also about action—reaching out to Jesus and trusting in His power to heal and restore.
4. Faith and Forgiveness
Faith is also connected to forgiveness. In Luke 7:50, Jesus tells a sinful woman who anointed His feet, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Her faith led her to Jesus, seeking forgiveness, and she received it.
Jesus teaches that faith involves acknowledging our need for God’s mercy. It’s about coming to Him in humility and trust, knowing He can forgive our sins and give us peace.
5. The Faith of the Centurion
One of the most remarkable demonstrations of faith Jesus encountered was that of a Roman centurion. In Matthew 8:5-13, the centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. He believes Jesus can do this without even being physically present, saying, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus is amazed and says, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
This story highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus’ authority and power. The centurion’s faith was so strong that he believed Jesus could heal with a mere word. This teaches us that faith recognizes and trusts in Jesus’ ultimate authority.
6. Faith During Storms
Jesus also taught about faith during challenging times. In Mark 4:35-41, when Jesus and His disciples were caught in a storm, the disciples were terrified. Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves and then asked His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
This incident teaches that faith is about trusting Jesus even in life’s storms. It’s easy to have faith when things are calm, but true faith remains steadfast during trials and uncertainties, trusting that Jesus is in control.
7. Persistent Faith
In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus tells of a widow who keeps coming to a judge, seeking justice. The judge eventually grants her request because of her persistence. Jesus concludes, “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?”
This parable teaches that faith involves persistence. We are encouraged to keep praying and seeking God, trusting that He hears us and will respond in His time.
8. Faith in God’s Promises
Faith is about believing in God’s promises even when we can’t see them. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Jesus often spoke about the kingdom of God, a future promise that requires faith to believe in. In John 14:1-3, He reassures His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
Faith involves trusting in God’s promises and His future plans for us, even when we can’t see them yet.
Conclusion
Jesus’ teachings on faith are comprehensive and deeply transformative. Whether it’s having faith as small as a mustard seed, believing without doubt, trusting in His healing power, seeking forgiveness, recognizing His authority, staying steadfast during life’s storms, being persistent in prayer, or believing in God’s promises—faith is central to our relationship with God.
By understanding and applying Jesus’ teachings on faith, you’ll grow stronger in your walk with God. Remember, it’s not about the size of your faith but the greatness of the One you have faith in. Trust in Jesus, and let your faith move mountains.
FAQs on Jesus and Faith
1. What did Jesus mean by having faith as small as a mustard seed?
Jesus used the mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds, to illustrate that even the smallest amount of faith can achieve great things when placed in God. It’s not about the size of your faith but the power of the One you have faith in (Matthew 17:20).
2. How can I strengthen my faith without doubt?
Strengthening your faith involves regular prayer, studying the Bible, and surrounding yourself with a community of believers who can support and encourage you. Trust in God’s promises and remember that faith grows through life’s experiences and challenges (Mark 11:23).
3. Does faith really have the power to heal?
According to Jesus’ teachings, faith plays a significant role in healing. Several instances in the Bible show that individuals were healed because of their faith in Jesus’ power (Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34).
4. How is faith connected to forgiveness?
Faith involves acknowledging our need for God’s mercy and trusting in His ability to forgive. Jesus often linked faith with forgiveness, as seen in Luke 7:50, where a sinful woman’s faith led to her forgiveness.
5. What can we learn from the centurion’s faith?
The centurion’s faith was remarkable because he recognized Jesus’ authority and believed that He could heal his servant with just a word. This teaches us about the importance of trusting in Jesus’ ultimate authority and power (Matthew 8:5-13).
6. How can I maintain faith during difficult times?
Maintaining faith during difficult times involves trusting in Jesus’ presence and control over every situation. The story of Jesus calming the storm teaches us to have faith even when circumstances are challenging (Mark 4:35-41).
7. Why is persistence important in faith?
Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow highlights the importance of persistence in faith. It encourages us to keep praying and seeking God, trusting that He hears us and will respond in His time (Luke 18:1-8).
8. What does it mean to have faith in God’s promises?
Having faith in God’s promises means trusting in His future plans and believing in what He has said, even when we can’t see it yet. Faith is defined as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, John 14:1-3).
9. How can I apply Jesus’ teachings on faith in my daily life?
You can apply Jesus’ teachings on faith by trusting God in every aspect of your life, praying regularly, reading the Bible, and acting on your faith through obedience and good works. Let your faith influence your decisions and interactions daily.
10. What should I do if I feel my faith is weak?
If you feel your faith is weak, seek God in prayer, study His Word, and connect with a supportive faith community. Remember that even a small amount of faith can grow and accomplish great things when placed in God (Matthew 17:20).
