The answer is: The Apostles

Luke 17:5

When the Apostles asked Jesus, "Increase our faith!" it reveals a profound yearning for a deeper spiritual connection and greater strength in their beliefs. They recognized that faith wasn't just a passive feeling, but something that can be nurtured and grown, much like a seed in fertile soil.

In this context, Jesus responds with a vivid metaphor about the mustard seed, illustrating that even the smallest amount of faith can yield remarkable results—this speaks not just to personal potential but to the colossal power of faith, regardless of its size. Can you imagine the Apostles, seasoned by their various experiences and aware of the challenges ahead, asking for something they desperately felt they might be lacking? It echoes the very human experience of doubt and the ongoing quest for understanding and conviction.

Interestingly, mustard seeds were part of the agricultural landscape of the time; their tiny size makes them a perfect vehicle for illustrating how something diminutive can still transform into something magnificent. This calls to mind how small acts of faith in daily life can blossom into acts of compassion, love, or social change that impact a community.

In exploring this passage further, consider that faith has often been depicted in art and literature as implicitly linked with action. It's so much more than an internal state; it’s about how the inner belief manifests outwardly, driving people to profound acts of love and kindness in the world.