Sunday 27 October, 2019

37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” 41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

In our passage for today we are seeing Jesus minister in one of the 4 key ways in which he did during his 3 years of Ministry.  Deliverance was central to what Jesus did. We see an utterly desperate father, taking a step of faith firstly asking the disciples to heal his son and then Jesus.  I love the desperation the father has, as any dad would, he takes a position of begging Jesus. However, Jesus response is quick and immediate to the father’s distress for the sons struggle.

Before delivering the son, Jesus takes the time to rebuke his disciples.  He knows that they have the authority, at the beginning of chapter 9 Jesus had sent them out to teach and heal, yet had they so quickly forgotten how God had used them previously?

The disciple’s hesitation and inability to deliver this young son challenges me.  It makes me ask the question, where am I incapable or ineffective because of unbelief? Where am I enabled by the Holy Spirit to bring healing or deliverance yet unable because of my weakness?

Jesus, thank you that you give us opportunities to show your power and love in this world.  Help us to remember that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in each of us.  Help me today to move in the authority of who you are and call me to be, taking the opportunity to maximize the moments you give rather than go through the motions.   In Jesus Name, Amen!

Written by Ps. Annique Botta