Luke 9:37-43 Jesus, The True Object Of Our Faith

On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him.  And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy,  and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves.  I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”  And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”  While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father.  And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

This is another account of the same event found in Mark 9.  The point Jesus is trying to make is that all things are possible to those who believe.  Essentially the father was telling Jesus that he is drawing for straws as to who can help the boy without regard to the fact that he is speaking to Jesus.  He is saying, if you can help the boy, would you.”  The question is not if He can help, instead does the father place his faith in Jesus who is worthy of his trust?  Once he comes that far, Jesus casts out the evil spirit and gives a clean bill of health to his son.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, how often we fall short of sure faith in you.  We error in trusting ourselves, even though we know our frailty.  Place in us the kind of faith that grows, faith in the One who is God’s Anointed.  Amen.