"He replied, '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.'”
The disciples were confused. They had witnessed many of Jesus’ miracles, and they had even been sent out to neighboring villages where they healed the sick. But in this scene, when they encountered a boy troubled by an unclean spirit, they could not drive the demon out of the boy. They wanted to know why they had failed.
Jesus’ response is at the same time challenging and encouraging. Challenging because, by pointing out the disciples’ lack of faith, Jesus reminds them that apart from his power they cannot do the work of his kingdom. Encouraging because he promises that even the smallest measure of faith can be multiplied, through God’s power, to produce immeasurably great results.
So we are reminded that when we seek God’s will and trust in His promise, He empowers us to accomplish all of the great work that He calls us to do for His glory.