The followers of Jesus had forgotten the food. It seems it was their job to bring along the provisions needed when they set out across the lake (Matthew 16:5). This being in the forethought of their mind took something Jesus said out of context.
He warned them of the “Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6). Immediately they assumed Jesus was being passive aggressive. In their minds he was expressing his frustration at the bread being forgotten (Matthew 16:7).
Jesus, of course, knew what they were thinking. He addressed it clearly and quickly. He challenged them in their “little faith.” A faith that blinded them to what he had done previously. He had fed 5000 and 4000 people respectively with limited supplies. Recalling he had done that should have reminded them he was not talking of a forgotten meal.
It is easy to forget how God has provided for us. Present challenges can quickly dim past celebrations. Jesus called this little, or limited, faith (Matthew 16:8).
What is limited faith? It is a form of faith. It is not absence of faith. It is present faith that can be limited in current reality.
Limited faith is confined. It is situational. It negates applying what God has done in the past to his ability to work in the present. It is knowing God can work, but not expecting him to work in a new day in a new way.
Limited faith is ‘then’ faith. It is appreciating that God worked in the ‘then,’ but this is ‘now.’ It is our struggle to trust he can work in our ‘now,’ as he had worked in our ‘then.’
Limited faith becomes most egregious when it accepts the mindset, ‘Today is very different from yesterday.’ The world is too messed up. People are less responsive. Culture is too resistant, irreligious, and unaccepting.
Much like the disciples did not apply Jesus’ ability to feed multitudes to handling a lunch for a handful; we can neglect to believe that what Jesus did, he can do. It may be different. But it will be just as miraculous.
What do you do when you have limited faith? You listen to Jesus. You take time to remember. You bring to mind his faithfulness.
There is a song, “He’s Been Faithful to Me,” written by Carol Cymbala. The chorus goes like this:
He's been faithful
Faithful to me
Looking back His love and mercy I see
Though in my heart I have questioned
And failed to believe
He's been faithful, faithful to me
Are you going through a season of limited faith? Take time to recall the faithfulness of God in your life. The God who has been faithful will continue to be.