Gift | Hands holding a gift box isolated on black background… | Flickr

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Dynamite comes in small packages! I first heard that when I was a kid and received a present in a little box. I was quite bummed as I was looking for something a lot bigger … like a bicycle. That wouldn’t fit in the matchbox before me. Pretending to be happy, I opened the little box … and found a key. A key to a lock that kept my new bike secure in the garage! Good things do come in small packages!

I’m sure we all have our ideas on “the dynamite” we find in small packages, but these all evaporate before us compared to the greatest gift of all that comes in the smallest of packages. Jesus says, “If you had faith like the grain of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6) Jesus isn’t trying to get any of us to telepathically transport objects from one place to another, but He is trying to help us understand that faith … even the smallest amount, can do great things!

Jesus’ disciples were concerned they were inadequate to the task of forgiveness of others — especially those who were continually sinning against them (Luke 17:1-4). And we all must admit, forgiveness is difficult. But Jesus connects faith to forgiveness — both the forgiveness we give others and the forgiveness we receive from God.

Faith in God and His promises empowers us to not only receive God’s mercy and grace but also to be the means He delivers this greatest gift of all to others. Even the smallest amount — and if you’ve ever seen a mustard seed (comparison here), it doesn’t take much — allows amazing things to happen. This includes the forgiveness of our sins — all of them forever; and the greatest gift of all — eternal life with the one true God in His new creation. All because of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Faith, like dynamite — a powerful force, comes in the smallest packages.

                                                                        Your Brother,

                                                                        Pastor Jim