Mark 9:21-29
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe;
help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer."
Jesus didn't intend for any of us to remain deaf and mute. And the first question of this portion of Scripture about illness asks, "How long has this been going on?" A paraphrase.
Jesus asks the man to take a look at the history of ____ illness. The Light of the world, Light of mankind, Light of Heaven, Light of Nations is clarifying the situation.
The truth is, illness has a wide range of descriptions and wellness not as many. We base future performance on past studies of work, kindness, ethics, compassion, humor, drive, coolness, ego, Christianity, money, tenacity, cruelty masquerading as composure élan, expression, charisma, glibness, status, sympathy, family, background, clothing, honesty, sincerity, good lying, education, being verbose, meticulous criticism, fear, jealousy, love, care giving, empathy, interest, interesting, probability and gut feelings. All these factors and more are the 90% of communication being non-verbal.
Jesus is God. Most people would run from the father and the son with unusual realities.
With Jesus standing next to the hopeless, the crowd constantly following Jesus is gathering. The Messiah is going to bring Healing. Jesus is going to Reveal God Again.
Jesus could recognize this extremely unique situation will generate interest. The Depths of reality, down the mountain, from the Heights of Visiting with God Himself and notables. Right after Transfiguration. Jesus also knew millenniums would look at this and think, "Days will come..." Jesus isn't here to fight for the almost hopeless in person.
The ability to find joy. The faith given to us by our Father to hold on to Truth. The faith to pull up with Jesus. Jesus, who explains He is still with us. By Prayers. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. The Only Son of God can take what is outside our reference points and make Hope. In God, there is no disappointment in forever.
%20Tule%20Tree.%20Large.jpg)
Abba, Father,
You have told us Boldly and With Confidence
Draw Near to Your Throne.
Jesus told us You long to gather us to You
tenderly like a Hen with chicks.
And yet we know disappointments in life and sometimes feel unsure
to pray. And we know Jesus tells us we think of Unrighteous Judges.
Prayer is sometimes avoided because
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
And we don't always feel Rock solid.
And we have to Rely on You. To Pray. The work of mankind is to Believe in Jesus.
You have given this, knowing we know what work is.
We learn as we pray more and more: those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
But when we are challenged to find inner resources,
we don't have available, we can cry out to You.
Steadfast Love, “I do believe;
help me overcome my unbelief!”
When Jesus sees us,
He will have compassion on His Lamb.
and in Jesus we will finish well:
You raise Your Countenance upon us
and smile, Beloved.
Peter could pray so well:
“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life."
The Gates of Heaven never close. You are working, Father,
and so is Jesus.
We cast our cares upon You,
You care for us.
Thank You, Jesus. And please.
Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment