September 8, 2015
Instruction
Scripture: Mark9:14-29
This event took place right after Jesus’ Transfiguration.
While the Transfiguration is a high point which reveals Jesus as God, the
disciples’ performance and inability to cast out the demon forms a kind of low
point bringing the focus on to the issue of faith. The account itself shows
Jesus returning to the nine disciples He had left behind and finding them
embroiled in an argument with the scribes over a boy who is possessed by a
demon which they were unable to cast out. Jesus spoke with the father of the
boy, and exorcised the demon. This reading functions as a warning against
relying on our own strength in our spiritual life and conflict as Jesus focused
the father on belief and the disciples on prayer.
Teaching
The disciples had cast out demons before, but there was
something in this situation that left them at a loss. There are two thoughts as
to why the disciples were unable to exorcise this demon from the boy. The first
is that there are different kinds of demons and different techniques to cast
them out. This would seem to be supported by the comment Jesus makes, “This
kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Another possible reason is
supported by the context as the disciples go on to argue about who was the
greatest among them. It may be that they were more focused on their power than
on God’s gracious love that worked through them, and God did not honor their
request because their hearts were set on their own prestige instead of His
glory.
Life
Take heed to your heart. Notice what happens in your inner
being. There are many things that we take for granted, and all too often these
include God’s gracious blessings. The interaction between the Jesus and the
boy’s father is an example of how our hope can shift from a solid foundation in
Jesus to doubts and casting about for other helps or saviors. Those helps or
saviors could include even our own skills, networks, or savings. We always want
to recognize that the earthly blessings we have in our lives are provided to us
by God because of His fatherly love; the same love that moved Him to save us
from our sins.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the themes of Confession, Petition, and Instruction.
O God, we confess that there are times that we trust in
things that we can see, touch, or understand more than we trust in You. We do
not always recognize that You provide earthly benefits, and we assume that we
deserve the good You give us. Please forgive us for Jesus’ sake!
Lord, please grant healing to all who are oppressed by evil
spirits in this world. Grant healing to all who suffer with disease. We also
ask that You would keep our hearts set on You, and that our hope and confidence
would be solidly set in the grace You have shown us by Christ’s suffering and
death. Help us to never take for granted the wondrous blessings You pour out on
us. We believe; help our unbelief!
God, we recognize that every good and gracious gift comes
from You. You have shown us that You are Lord over the unclean spirits, the
illnesses that beset us, and those who accuse us. We see here that You call us
to put ourselves in Your hands by faith, and, feeble as that faith may be
sometimes, we are being formed by You to trust You with our whole selves. Amen.
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