Luke and the Lost

From the mountain top experience of seeing Jesus in all his glory and majesty along with hearing the voice of God call out, “THIS is My Son, LISTEN to HIM!”, Jesus and the three disciples descend to the valley…where real ministry happens. Where desperate faith collides with the power of God, through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Luke 9, The Message

37-40 When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them. A man called from out of the crowd, “Please, please, Teacher, take a look at my son. He’s my only child. Often a spirit seizes him. Suddenly he’s screaming, thrown into convulsions, his mouth foaming. And then it beats him black-and-blue before it leaves. I asked your disciples to deliver him but they couldn’t.”

41 Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring your son here.”

42-43 While he was coming, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into convulsions. Jesus stepped in, ordered the vile spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God’s greatness, God’s majestic greatness.

When the disciples, still in training, couldn’t make it happen, this father with desperate faith, went to Jesus. “Please, please…” pleads the man who only has one son. Jesus reminds everyone to stay focused on the power of God not the will of man. God’s glory is seen in this boy’s healing.

We must remind ourselves daily that God’s Word is about God, not us. It reminds us of HIS power, HIS will, HIS plan to bring us into deeper faith, focus and clarity of who HE is and how HE works. Jesus points that out rather boldly, “How many times do I have to go over these things?” Reminds me of parenting…I have heard this from my parents and I have repeated it to my children. Do we love them less? NO! But we must go over these things often to stay focused.

This passage also represents a significant turning point in the Gospel. Peter’s earlier confession of Jesus not only answers the question of Jesus’ identity but also brings a shift in Jesus’ teaching. From this point Jesus begins to prepare the disciples for his death and for the discipleship of bearing one’s cross daily, following the will and purpose of the Father. THEY will do what HE has been doing after Jesus leaves earth, in His Name and by HIS power, for HIS glory so that all may be saved.

“They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God’s greatness, God’s majestic greatness.”

How desperate is our faith? When the church (mere messy people, too) disappoints, do we turn to Jesus? Are our eyes focused on His? Are we ready to move at his command just by his glance back at us or the whisper of His voice to our hearts? No matter what happens here on earth, remain in Him, abide in Him, for He is God and we are not.

Yes, we will probably go over this again.

Dear Heavenly Father, As we begin this day, we are grateful for where You have led us. We are grateful for bringing us along, with patience for us. Now, we give you the praise and glory for all and pray that You will continue to be with us…
In Jesus Name and by His power working in us, Amen. I believe.