Dear Family and Friends,

Our grandson’s birthday is coming up soon. We are so proud of him. He’s smart, articulate, diligent in his studies, and very thoughtful of others. He’s well on his way to becoming a fine young man.

Gosh, I still remember jumping on a plane one Thanksgiving morning. Aileen and I were so anxious to hold him on his second day of life … oh, and to help our daughter and son-in-law.

Much has changed since that Thanksgiving Day eight years ago.

He’s now almost as tall as his mom. And the world we live in today is extremely different from how it was back then.

For example, up until a few years ago, I was proud to say I’m an American. Today when we travel, we purposefully say we’re from Hawaii.

One doesn’t have to be a sociologist to see that our society is deeply troubled. It’s to the point where I have grave concerns for our three grandchildren. Concerns that the society they have to live in will be not only godless, it will be evil.

As I sat one day watching the evening news, drowning in my hopelessness, Jesus reminded me of a short phrase He said to His disciples. In fact, He said that phrase “You of little faith” four times in Matthew alone. (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31 and 16:8)

One may think Jesus was being condescending, but by saying this Jesus was actually caring for His troubled, perhaps even overwhelmed, disciples.

These were teaching, not scolding, moments. In all four passages, we see that the phrase is part of or follows a question containing a lesson.

What were the lessons? Keep Trusting Me. Worry not. Fear not. Doubt not.

Jesus has the same lessons for us today.

Let’s quickly go through these passages as each offers a unique lesson.

In Matthew 6:25-34, a passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about the future. That the Father knows their needs. And if they seek His kingdom and His righteousness, He will provide.

Jesus reminds us today to trust in Him and not worry nor be anxious about the future. 

In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus asks His disciples why they were so fearful of drowning in the furious storm.

Jesus reminds us today to trust in Him and fear not, because He is capable of calming the endless storms of life.

In Matthew 14:28-33, Jesus asks Peter (who was sinking into the sea at the time) why he had doubt.

How often have we started off in full faith like Peter, only to have doubts creep in… like Peter?

Jesus reminds us today to keep trusting and stop doubting Him. 

In Matthew 16:5-12, when Jesus said, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,”  the disciples thought He was talking about bread.

They were distracted by their own needs (they forgot to bring bread), and misunderstood that yeast was a metaphor for false teachings.

Jesus then asked them five questions in succession.

“You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread?”  Matthew 16:8-11 NIV

Why so many questions?

Jesus was addressing THE reason why the disciples had little faith.

Jesus wanted to remind them:

  • To trust in Him and not in themselves. 
  • To not be self-centered and instead put God’s Kingdom first.
  • To not allow the busyness of life to distract them from what Jesus had for them, in this case a lesson. 
  • That He and He alone is trustworthy.

This final lesson sums up all the others. And points to the biggest reason why we at times have little faith.

We worry, have fears, or start to doubt, because we’re trusting in ourselves – – and not Jesus.

Through His questions, Jesus offers His disciples a solution to their dilemma. He reminds them of what He’s done  – as proof of His trustworthiness.

Jesus reminds us today to do likewise, to remember all that He’s done for us – as proof of His trustworthiness.

Our grandson says grace before family meals and also enjoys Sunday school. He will soon be old enough to make a personal decision to follow Jesus. 

We pray that he and our other two grandchildren will make the right decisions. But we’re not worried, we have Jesus on our side. 

If you find yourself relating to the disciples, I pray you find the peace you seek. 

In love always,