(More Bible Studies Available @ www.marktabata.com)
To Receive These (And Other) Free Bible Studies And Updates Via Email, Contact Mark Tabata @ 606-216-1757 (Text Message) Or hazardhomecoc@gmail.com (Email)
Matthew 17:20-21-So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Most of my life, I have been intrigued by these words of Jesus. The notion that a person could just walk up to a mountain and tell it, “Move,” and it will do so, is very interesting!
But is that what is going on here?
Some have said that this was something that could only be done in the day and age of the miraculous gifts of the early church. I do see where they are coming from. After all, the only reference outside of the Gospels to someone “moving mountains” is found in the context of miraculous gifts (1 Corinthians 13:2).
Ciampa and Rosner tell us:
“Since all Christians have faith in Christ, and Paul indicates that the faith he has in mind here is one that (like the other gifts) is not shared by all, most scholars understand Paul to be referring to faith that works miracles. 55 Many refer to 13: 2 in making that suggestion, and that intuition is confirmed by the fact that the reference to faith in 13: 2 seems to be part of another (mini-) list of gifts which includes tongues, prophecy, faith, and self-giving (martyrdom/ self-sacrifice). Thus it is a particularly important clue to what Paul has in mind here. We should bear in mind that in 13: 2 Paul indicates that he would have the ability to move mountains if he were to have the extraordinary gift of “all faith” (see the comments there). The reference to faith here (even without the special modifier of “all” faith) should probably still be understood to refer to miracle-working faith, even if it would not be expected that one could actually move literal mountains. 56 The reference to “mountain-moving” faith in 13: 2 echoes Jesus’ promise about the power of even mustard-seed sized faith to move mountains (Matt. 17: 20; 21: 21; Mark 11: 23)…This understanding of faith as miracle-working suggests a close relationship between the gift of faith and the following references to gifts of healings and miracles.” (Roy E. Ciampa, Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians (The Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC), 850-851 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
There is, therefore, a strong case that can be made for this “mountain moving” being something that applied to that day and age.
However, when we study what the Jewish expression “moving mountains” had reference to, we see that the principle is true for all ages.
You see, the idea behind mountains being moved was a common one throughout the Old Testament. Usually, this phrase had reference to God removing obstacles that were in the way of His work in the world, especially as related to the salvation and deliverance of His people.
For example:
Isaiah 40:4-Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;
Isaiah 41:15-Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, And make the hills like chaff.
Isaiah 42:15-I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers coastlands, And I will dry up the pools.
All of these passages speaking of removing mountains are in the context of God working to remove some threat or power opposed to His will and campaign. Indeed, “moving mountains” was actually a common expression among the Jewish people of the first century that illustrated God helping His people to overcome their problems and their enemies.
“Jesus illustrates. He envisages a disciple telling a mountain to move and says that it will happen. The moving of mountains was proverbial among the Jews for accomplishing something of very great difficulty (e.g., it was said that Rabbah was “an uprooter of mountains,” Ber. 64a; one who saw Resh Lakish in debate “would think that he was uprooting mountains and grinding them against each other,” Sanh. 24a). The expression should, of course, be understood metaphorically. 51 Through the centuries pious souls have never been conspicuous for transferring physical objects such as literal mountains, but there are many instances on record where mountainous difficulties have been removed by the exercise of faith.” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According To Matthew (Pillar New Testament Commentary), 449 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
Think of how this was so relevant to the situation here in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus makes this statement. The Lord (along with Peter, James, and John) had just been on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:1-6-Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
Not only had the disciples seen Jesus transformed, but they witnessed Moses and Elijah appearing on the mountain also! They had appeared in order to encourage Jesus in His work.
Luke 9:30-31-And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Now, coming down from the mountain, they were confronted with this demonic spirit who had been tormenting this young boy throughout his life. Spending time with the Lord and the spirits of the saved, and now being confronted with this! What a contrast! Mark records that the demon caused muteness, rigidity, foaming of the mouth, and gnashing of the teeth (Mark 9:17-18), while Luke adds that when the spirit departs, it causes great injury to the child by bruising him (Luke 9:39). Even with their miraculous powers, the Apostles here were not able to cast out this demon (Matthew 10:1, 8). It was only through a stronger faith, coupled with prayer and fasting, that they would be able to stand against demons like this in the future (Matthew 17:20; Mark 9:29). While we do not have access to those miraculous gifts today (including the gift of being able to exorcise demons with a single word-Matthew 8:16; Mark 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10), we still have ways to fight the enemy and be victorious (Matthew 17:20; Mark 9:29; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).
And herein lies a great lesson for us: no matter how large the obstacles we may face, in the Lord we can overcome! Whatever the source of our problem: physical, spiritual, demonic-we have Divine help that will see us through. We need simply trust and obey God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 5:7-For we walk by faith, not by sight.
James 4:7-Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
1 John 5:4-For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Revelation 12:11-And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Whatever mountains are in your way today: trust in God and follow Him, and that mountain will be removed in His time and in His way.
Lord, help us! There are many mountains in our lives, but we know with Your help, we can overcome them. Strengthen and encourage us. Amen.