Faithful Pronouns

In tandem to my last insight I was ruminating over the other excerpts in the scriptures specific to faith as a mustard seed. Understanding the pronouns gives greater clarity to the passages and the lessons to be incorporated.

Mathew 17

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed and, running to him saluted him.

16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

The interesting points of reflection dwell in the pronouns:

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

What is "this"? Is it a mountain? Is it the evil spirit? Is it faith?

I believe that like the "sycamine tree" (from my previous blog entry) was referencing a topic at hand in the ongoing conversation, so to "this mountain" refers to the topic at hand of "UNBELIEF"! I believe Christ was repeating himself in the sense that the same thing that has power to pluck the sycamine tree and plant it in the sea, is the same thing that has power to remove "this mountain".

I believe that "this mountain" and the subsequent "it" in these verses are referring to UNBELIEF. The harboured disbelief was what was thwarting the disciples from casting out the lunatic spirit from the child.

I don't think "it" had any direct reference to actual mountains or physically moving - real life mountains, but represented a metaphorical construct. I believe Christ understood that the disciples regarded some tasks seemingly impossible to do. I think he understood that they must have felt that certain truths he taught them were incredulous and unbelievable to the natural eyes. The disciples likely held heavy and seemingly nondisplaceable reasons for disbelieving at least portions of Christ's teachings. To the disciples these points must have appeared seemingly insurmountable, much like having a menacing physical mountain in your path on your journey to a better place. Nonetheless, if a person's faith was as properly organized as the smallest of herbs grown at that time - the mustard seed, then just as real as that small thing becomes a tree, one could remove mountains of UNBELIEF by planting, nourishing, and tending to that seemingly insignificant speck of a seed. Christ was essentially saying that by focusing on the cultivation of faith, mountains of UNBELIEF could be removed. The persistent exercise of faith consequently would result in the expected outcome no matter how small a portion of faith was at the outset of the endeavor. (Faith meaning - the hope and consequent works necessary to realize things not immediately seen, but which nevertheless are in truth a reality) (Truth meaning - things as they were, things as they are, things as they will be) To exercise faith is to operate in mind by words and ideas that support that which we have faith in. To exercise faith also means to work outwardly to physically do those things that will facilitate realizing those things we seek in truth and righteousness.

I believe the phrase "Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" is speaking specifically to the effect of removing from mind and heart the doubts and fears that cause UNBELIEF. Unbelief can loom so large as to obstruct and impede the power and authority that properly authorized servants of the Lord Jesus Christ hold where with to mediate miracles in His name. Much like Christ said of the sycamine tree, he was saying that if one has sound faith in Him, in Christ, one can do all things expedient in Him and nothing will be impossible to them.

I believe Christ then goes one step further in these passages and explains how to cultivate such faith unto power. "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

What is this "kind" that he speaks of? What is it that "goeth not out but by prayer and fasting"?What's he talking about? Its easy to be confused and believe that he is referring to the lunatick spirit and the requirement for that case point, but He's not! Remember, and follow the dialogue. He has just finished speaking to his disciples about how if they have faith as a "grain of mustard seed" they would be able to say unto "this mountain", remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove.

This thing "this mountain" is what "goeth not out" but by prayer and fasting! Again, what is the thing that is to "remove hence to yonder place"? Is it not the thing, the answer, to the initial question which spurred the conversation to begin with? "Why could not we cast him (the lunatick spirit) out? "Because of your UNBELIEF"

Christ laments, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?" The disciples had the tools wherewith to do the miracle. One definition of PERVERSE means : contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Another definition is: arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy. The disciples held on to beliefs that kept fear and doubt alive within them. In essence they would not accept in full measure the truths Christ had taught them. This UNBELIEF displaced the faith necessary to BELIEVE in such a manner that the miracle could be done. This is why he says "FAITHLESS AND PERVERSE GENERATION".

The take home message here is that even the disciples of Christ had the tendency to disbelieve the truths Christ would have us all learn and believe. By believing our own past experiences, traditions, customs, and those things we have encrusted in our hearts and minds as "truths", paramount to the truths and teachings of Jesus Christ we disconnect ourselves from His power and ability to manifest miracles. DISBELIEF must be "removed" "yonder" with FAITH, a hope in things unseen yet true. This hope that leads to confidence in action and power from on high displaces UNBELIEF, doubt, and fear. It is achieved but "by prayer and fasting" over those things that we DISBELIEVE or find hard to believe. We must pray and fast over the things we are being taught by Christ and in that way gain the conviction, the testimony, for ourselves from God, so that we are neither faithless, perverse, or disbelieving, and thereby impotent in the works and miracles we undertake to accomplish in our lives.

Seeds of Faith

I was pursuing an ongoing research project I have developed specific to my interest in psychoneuroimmunology and supporting evidences from the teachings or experiences of Christ, when I came across this enlightening detailed bit of information. I had to record it.

Luke 17:3-6

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye might say unto this sycamine tree,
Be thou plucked up by the root,
and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
- Luke 17:6

In Luke 17:1-6, Jesus taught His disciples about bitterness and unforgiveness and about how to remove these evil forces from one’s life. As an illustration, Jesus likened these forces to the sycamine tree that was so well known in that part of the world. The word “sycamine” comes from the Greek word sukaminos, and it is the Greek word that refers to a tree that grew throughout the Middle East.

When you understand everything that is connected to the sycamine tree, you’ll know exactly why Jesus chose to use this tree as an example of bitterness and unforgiveness in Luke 17:6. In that verse, Jesus told His disciples, “...If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Notice that Jesus said, “…Ye might say unto this sycamine tree…” The word “this” indicates that Jesus was pointing out something very specific to them.

Keep in mind that Jesus was speaking of getting rid of bitterness and unforgiveness. In Luke 17:3, He told the disciples that they needed to forgive those who sinned against them. He then took it to the maximum in Luke 17:4 by saying that even if a brother does something wrong seven times in one day and is each time truly repentant, they were to keep on forgiving that offending brother.

Forgiving once is already a challenge for most people. But to forgive someone seven times in one day almost sounds impossible to many folks. It must have sounded preposterous to the disciples as well, for they said, “…Lord, Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). This statement was the equivalent of their saying, “Lord, we don’t know if we have enough faith to forgive so many times in one day. You’ll have to increase our faith if we’re going to do this seven times in one day!”

That is when Jesus began to teach His disciples about speaking to bitterness and unforgiveness. He said, “...If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree.…” When Jesus used the word “this,” it was the equivalent of Jesus’ telling them, “Bitterness and unforgiveness are just like the sycamine tree - and if you really want to be free of these attitudes, you can speak to this menacing growth in your life and command it to be planted in the sea!”

Before we can understand what Jesus taught about getting rid of bitterness and unforgiveness, we first need to see why He used the sycamine tree to illustrate these destructive forces. Was there a particular reason why He didn’t use an oak tree, an apple tree, or a palm tree in this illustration? Why did He use the sycamine tree to symbolize the detrimental effects of bitterness and unforgiveness in a person’s life?

As you look at the characteristics of the sycamine tree listed below, I believe you will compre­hend why Jesus used this particular tree in this context.

1. The sycamine tree had a very large and deep root structure.

The sycamine tree was known to have one of the deepest root structures of all trees in the Middle East. It was a vigorous and robust tree that grew to a height of thirty feet or more. Because its roots went down so deep into the earth, it was very difficult to kill. Hot weather and blistering temperatures had little effect on this tree because it was tapped into a water source down deep under the earth. Even cutting it to its base would not guarantee its death because its roots, hidden deep under the ground, would draw from underground sources of water, enabling it to keep resurfacing again and again. In other words, this tree was very difficult to eradicate.

No wonder Jesus used this tree as an example of bitterness and unforgiveness! Like the sycamine tree, bitterness and unforgiveness must be dealt with clear to the roots, or they will keep springing up again and again. The roots of bitterness and unforgiveness go down deep into the human soul, fed by any offense that lies hidden in the soil of the heart. That hidden source of offense will cause these evil forces to resurface in a person’s life over and over again. It will take a serious deci­sion for that person to rip those roots of bitterness and offense out of his heart once and for all so they can’t grow back in the future.

2. The sycamine tree’s wood was the preferred wood for building caskets.

In Egypt and the Middle East, the sycamine tree was considered to be the preferred wood for building caskets and coffins. It grew quickly and in nearly any environment, making it accessible in many different places. It also grew best in dry conditions - the kind of conditions for which the Middle East is famous. These are two reasons sycamine wood was used in so many places for building caskets and coffins.

Again, we can see why this illustration of the sycamine tree is so ideal for portraying bitterness and unforgiveness. Just as the sycamine tree grew very quickly, so does bitterness and unforgiveness. In fact, it doesn’t take too long at all for these evil forces to get out of control and start taking over the whole place! When these fast-growing and ugly attitudes are allowed to grow freely, they not only spoil the condition of your own heart, but they ruin your relationships with other people.

Also, just as the sycamine tree grew easily in every environment, so does bitterness. It doesn’t matter where people are from, where they live, what kind of cultural background they grew up in, or what level of society they belong to - bitterness and unforgiveness grow in human hearts every­where, for they are universal in their scope of evil influence.

The sycamine tree grew best where little rain fell and water was sparse. Isn’t this just like bit­terness and unforgiveness? These negative attitudes flourish where spiritually dry conditions exist. You can almost count on finding bitterness and unforgiveness growing and blossoming where there is no repentance, no joy, and no fresh rain of the Spirit.

And don’t forget that sycamine wood was the preferred wood for building caskets and coffins. What a powerful message this is! It tells us that bitterness and unforgiveness are deadly. Harboring bitterness will spiritually bury you more quickly than anything else! These attitudes are the materials that Satan uses to put you six feet underground!

Let me stress this point to you because it’s so important: If you permit bitterness and unforgive­ness to grow in your life, it won’t be long until these attitudes have killed your joy, stolen your peace, and canceled out your spiritual life!

3. The sycamine tree produced a fig that was very bitter to eat.

The sycamine tree and the mulberry tree were very similar in appearance; the two trees even produced a fruit that looked identical. However, the fruit of the sycamine tree was extremely bitter. Its fruit looked just as luscious and delicious as a mulberry fig. But when a person tasted the fruit of the sycamine fig, he discovered that it was horribly bitter.

Mulberry figs were delicious and therefore expensive. Because of the cost of this fruit, it was primarily eaten by wealthier people. But the sycamine fig was cheap and therefore affordable to poorer people. Because the poor couldn’t afford the luscious mulberry fig, they munched on the sycamine fig as a substitute.

However, the sycamine fig was so bitter that it couldn’t be eaten whole. In order to consume an entire sycamine fig, the eater had to nibble on it a little bit at a time. After a pause, the eater would return to nibble on it again, but he could never devour a entire piece of this fruit at one time; it was just too tart and pungent to eat at one sitting.

Jesus lets us know that like the sycamine fruit, the fruit of bitterness and unforgiveness is bitter, tart, and pungent. Like the fig, most people who are bitter and filled with unforgiveness chew on their feelings for a long time. They nibble on bitterness for a while; then they pause to digest what they’ve eaten. After they have reflected deeply on their offense, they return to the memory table to start nibbling on bitterness again - taking one little bite, then another little bite, then another. As they continue to think and meditate on their offense, they internalize their bitter feelings toward those who have offended them. In the end, their perpetual nibbling on the poisonous fruit of bit­terness makes them bitter, sour people themselves.

And just as the primary consumers of the sycamine fruit were poor people, those who sit around and constantly meditate on every wrong that has ever been done to them are usually bound up with all kinds of poverty. Their bitter attitude not only makes them spiritually poor, but they are also frequently defeated, depressed, sick, and financially poor as well.

4. The sycamine tree was pollinated only by wasps.

It is very interesting to note that the sycamine tree was not naturally pollinated. The pollina­tion process was only initiated when a wasp stuck its stinger right into the heart of the fruit. Thus, the tree and its fruit had to be “stung” in order to be reproduced.

Think of how many times you have heard a bitter person say: “I’ve been stung by that person once, but I’m not going to be stung again! What he did hurt me so badly that I’ll never let him get close enough to sting me again!” It is likely that people who make such a statement have been “stung” by a situation that the devil especially devised to pollinate their hearts and souls with bitterness and unforgiveness. When a person talks like this, you can know for sure that the wasp of bitterness got to them!

Jesus said that in order to rid this nuisance from one’s life, a person must have faith the size of “a grain of mustard seed.” The word “grain” is the Greek word kokkos. It describes a seed, a grain, or a very small kernel. Jesus uses the example of a “mustard” seed in this example. The word “mustard” is the Greek word sinapi, which refers to the small mustard plant that grows from a tiny, miniscule seed.

By using this word, Jesus was telling His disciples that a great amount of faith is not needed to deal with bitterness and unforgiveness. Any person who has even a tiny measure of faith can speak to bitterness and unforgiveness and command them to leave - if that is really the desire of his heart.

Enlightening isn't it!!

A Sycamine tree next to a palm tree.

Next to the oak, the traveler in Palestine meets most frequently with the carob-tree. The tree sometimes called "Sycamine" in the Scriptures, and sometimes "Sycamore," is next in frequency of appearance. It is really a species of wild fig, and quite peculiar as a fruit-tree, in that its fruit grows not at the ends of twigs, but on short stems which put out from the bark of the larger branches. Each stem bears several figs, and they put out in hunches, sometimes encircling the limbs. The figs are small and not very palatable. The trees bear several crops in the year, sometimes, it is said, as many as seven.

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Salvadora Percica Seeds - a.k.a - Mustard Seeds

Salvadora persica, Toothbrush tree, Mustard tree, Peelu tree, סלוודורה פרסית ,الأراك
		Scientific name: Salvadora persica Common name: Toothbrush tree, Mustard tree, Arak tree, Peelu tree Hebrew name: סלוודורה פרסית Arabic name: الأراك Family: Salvadoraceae, סלודוריים Location: Ein Gedi; Date Picture Taken: 05/12/2008

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