What does the phrase “faith as small as a mustard seed” mean to you? If you had asked me this question a few months ago, I would have explained it as encouragement for people who feel their faith is weak or tiny, a reassurance that even a little belief is enough. While comforting, this explanation has never fully made complete sense to me. I found a simple pin on Pinterest that blew my simple mind, explaining what “faith of a mustard seed” would have meant to the people of Jesus’ time.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples, “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” (Matthew 17:20). At first glance, this statement seems almost unbelievable. How could something so small accomplish something so great? Yet that is precisely the heart of Jesus’ message.
In the ancient world, mustard was not admired for being neat, manageable, or polite. It was known for being aggressive. Once planted, mustard spread rapidly. It crowded out other plants, dominated the soil, and was extremely difficult to control. Farmers often feared it because it didn’t stay in its place, it took over entire fields. What began as something small quickly became uncontainable. So, when Jesus referenced the mustard seed, His listeners likely didn’t picture something fragile or insignificant. They would have thought of something uncontainable, invasive, dominating, unstoppable. Think of the mustard plant like the kudzu that has taken over much of the Southern landscape.
A mustard seed is one of the tiniest seeds known, easily overlooked and seemingly insignificant. Held in the palm of a hand, it hardly appears capable of producing anything meaningful. Yet, when planted, it grows into a large, sturdy plant, sometimes even described as tree-like. Jesus chose this example intentionally, reminding us that faith is not measured by its size, but by its presence and its willingness to grow.
Faith of a mustard seed teaches us that God does not require perfect, unwavering confidence from us. He does not demand that we understand every step of the journey or see the full picture before we trust Him. Instead, He asks for a beginning—a small act of belief, a quiet prayer, a moment of surrender. He requires us to take that tiny mustard seed of faith and plant it firmly in our lives. Once planted, it spreads into every part of our lives. It is unshakeable and unwavering. That type of faith does not politely coexist with fear or doubt. It overtakes, uproots, and destroys the lies that the devil tells us every day. Faith of a mustard seed takes full authority and establishes God’s kingdom in our life. Even the smallest spark of faith, when placed in God’s hands, carries the power to transform lives.
Often, we believe our faith must be strong before God can act. We wait until we feel brave enough, confident enough, or worthy enough. But the mustard seed reminds us that faith grows through obedience, not certainty. It is planted in moments of doubt, fear, and weakness. It takes root when we choose to trust God despite unanswered questions or heavy burdens. And when we allow it to fully take root — when we water it daily, prune out any bad parts, and truly nurture our mustard seed of faith — it will grow to be uncontainable faith! Strong and treelike, invasive, taking over every single part of our life.
Mountains in our lives may not always be literal, but they are real nonetheless—illness, grief, financial strain, broken relationships, anxiety, or uncertainty about the future. These mountains can feel immovable. Yet Jesus assures us that deep-rooted, mustard seed faith can shift what seems impossible. Not always instantly, and not always in the way we expect, but always with purpose.
Faith of a mustard seed is also an invitation to patience. Growth does not happen overnight. Mustard seed faith is not like the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” it doesn’t spring up overnight, reaching to the sky. Seeds must be nurtured, watered, and given time. In the same way, faith deepens through prayer, Scripture, community, and experience. God honors the process. What begins as a small belief can grow into a steady trust that withstands storms and seasons.
Ultimately, the message of the mustard seed is one of hope. You do not need great faith—you need living faith. Faith that is willing to be planted. Faith that trusts God to do what only He can do. When we offer Him even the smallest measure of belief, He meets us there and brings growth far beyond what we could imagine.
Do you have faith of a mustard seed? A deep rooted, invasive, unstoppable, and overtaking faith? The kind of faith that the world doesn’t understand, but in the kingdom of God will move the mountains in your life? Faith of a mustard seed is not about just being small. It is about being so rooted, so forceful, and so unshakable that nothing else can stand against it.
This week’s recipe is one of recovery! After a long holiday season, I need a good reset and something, fresh, light, and filling. Something that is both delicious and healthy. This honey-mustard roasted chicken is perfect for a flavorful and healthy dish. Plus, it features mustard, appropriate for today’s article. I hope you love this recipe as much as my family does. As always, feel free to swap out the protein to make this recipe your own, or try the mustard sauce over potatoes to make a delicious side dish.
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
