"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'"
Mark 9:24
Our faith often lags behind our knowledge. We know who Christ is and what He is able to do but find it difficult to fully trust Him in our circumstances. But fear not Jesus responded to this father's plea by delivering his son. We too can approach Christ with what faith we have praying that He will help us overcome unbelief to a arrive at a fuller faith. As we struggle against unbelief and reach to Christ with the faith we have we will find His generous in His response.
Father, "I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief!"
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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The Transfiguration must have been an event too much for words. Peter is talking like a man that needed to say something but his words fall short of the event. The three disciples with Jesus all heard a message from God from the clouds: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him.” Jesus warns them to keep this secret until He rises from the grave. When they came back to the crowd, Jesus was asked to drive a demon out of a boy. His disciples had failed and the boy’s father wondered if Jesus could finish the task. The father recognized his lack of faith and asked that faith be added to what he had so that there would be enough for the miracle. The disciples had cast out demons before, why could they not cast this one out? Jesus answers the question, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” What does this say about the power of prayer? This situation would have remained the same without prayer. Part of prayer is asking dependently. Is Jesus helping His disciples see that they need to always remember that prayer and work go together. They might have been seduced by the power Jesus gave them and without prayer they had tried to do the work in their own power. The person who works without prayer will soon come to a similar situation. Jesus now takes His disciples and teaches them. This He wanted to do without the crowds. They hear again the description of His death but with little understanding. From what happened to Peter last time Jesus told them this, they are afraid to ask Him about it. The trip to Capernaum was a little eventful among the disciples with the jabbing of who was the greatest. Like little children they argued just out of hearing of Jesus. Or did they?
ReplyDeleteHis next lesson for them was about the first being last and the last being first. Servanthood was the theme. How many times must He drive this point home? I ask myself, when will I get this lesson? The disciples are still in the “I am better than you” mode. The forbid a person from driving out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not part of their group. Jesus tells them that is the wrong answer. Anyone who is not against us is for us. Even the simplest of kindnesses done in Jesus’ name reap a reward. Let us not forget the seemingly unimportant people of the world; they may be the greatest in God’s sight. Jesus next pictures for them the seriousness of sin. Jesus ends this chapter with these words: “Have salt in yourself, and be at peace with each other.” Salt has three distinct qualities. First, it is a preservative. When we lose the desire to “salt” our world with the Word of God and His love, we have not counteracted the moral decay around us. Secondly, salt adds flavor. People should be drawn to God because they see Him is us.
Thirdly, God’s faithfulness to His covenant with His people was demonstrated in the salting of the sacrifice. Just a thought: If every time I used or tasted salt, I thought of God’s faithfulness, would that change my day? Salt could be a trigger point or a point of remembrance for us.
Reflective Question ~ Where does this chapter inspire, encourage, rebuke, and teach me?