Jesus Heals A Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit.
Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
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 by prayer."
Reflection:
In this story we can learn three very important lessons.
1. The nature of demons. Some will say that demons are not real or that we spend too much time talking about them. But we see as Jesus advances the kingdom, there is certainly opposition from evil spirits that are in direct opposition to his ministry. In this case it says the boy is possessed by a demon. The demon has such a strong hold on the boy, he has become deaf and mute. It also throws the boy into the fire and the water to try and kill him. See too the demon notices Jesus and starts acting out realizing his time is short. Finally, we see the demon shrieks as Jesus exorcises him, and he leaves at Jesus' command. So we see the reality of evil spirits and how their main purpose is to steal, kill and destroy human life (John 10:10). But the other half of the verse is that Jesus came to give us abundant life.
2. We see the nature of faith to believe in Jesus. Jesus expresses his frustration at the lack of faith in this generation. Perhaps this was aimed at the scribes, who were arguing with the disciples. Or, more likely it is aimed at the disciples, who had been sent out before and even given power over demonic forces. Perhaps while he was up on the mountain with the three other disciples, the faith of the remaining disciples waned with Jesus being absent. Whatever the case, the important act of faith comes when the boy's dad says, "I believe help me with my unbelief!" This would suggest that at some level the man believed in Jesus, but he was also doubtful Jesus could heal his boy of such a horrible condition. Apparently Jesus shows him grace, as he heals the boy inspite of his unbelief. But the key learning here is that Jesus can do whatever he wants, but ultimately his goal is that people would have faith in him. He makes the incredible promise, "to him who believes all things are possible."
3. Finally, Jesus' last statement is of importance. He says, "This kind can only come out with prayer!" Other versions say, "fasting and prayer". But in essence they are the same, because we fast so we can be more fully concentrated in our prayers. As Paul says in Ephesians 6, "And pray in the Spirit on all with all kinds of prayers and request on all occasions." Our faith is expressed through prayer, through the Spirit praying with us, and they are powerful and effective in every situation we find ourselves in.
As we seek to advance God's kingdom, as ambassadors of Christ, we can be sure we will face spiritual opposition. But we need not fear. As we have faith in Christ and his power, greater is he that in us than he that is in the world. One day Satan and his demons will be condemned to hell for eternity, but for now we battle them in Jesus' name and power.
Jesus help us as we confront the darkness in our generation to have faith in you on all occasions, especially as we meet those afflicted by demons. Help us to pray on all occasions completely relying on your name and power through which all things are possible. Amen.
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
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 by prayer."
Reflection:
In this story we can learn three very important lessons.
1. The nature of demons. Some will say that demons are not real or that we spend too much time talking about them. But we see as Jesus advances the kingdom, there is certainly opposition from evil spirits that are in direct opposition to his ministry. In this case it says the boy is possessed by a demon. The demon has such a strong hold on the boy, he has become deaf and mute. It also throws the boy into the fire and the water to try and kill him. See too the demon notices Jesus and starts acting out realizing his time is short. Finally, we see the demon shrieks as Jesus exorcises him, and he leaves at Jesus' command. So we see the reality of evil spirits and how their main purpose is to steal, kill and destroy human life (John 10:10). But the other half of the verse is that Jesus came to give us abundant life.
2. We see the nature of faith to believe in Jesus. Jesus expresses his frustration at the lack of faith in this generation. Perhaps this was aimed at the scribes, who were arguing with the disciples. Or, more likely it is aimed at the disciples, who had been sent out before and even given power over demonic forces. Perhaps while he was up on the mountain with the three other disciples, the faith of the remaining disciples waned with Jesus being absent. Whatever the case, the important act of faith comes when the boy's dad says, "I believe help me with my unbelief!" This would suggest that at some level the man believed in Jesus, but he was also doubtful Jesus could heal his boy of such a horrible condition. Apparently Jesus shows him grace, as he heals the boy inspite of his unbelief. But the key learning here is that Jesus can do whatever he wants, but ultimately his goal is that people would have faith in him. He makes the incredible promise, "to him who believes all things are possible."
3. Finally, Jesus' last statement is of importance. He says, "This kind can only come out with prayer!" Other versions say, "fasting and prayer". But in essence they are the same, because we fast so we can be more fully concentrated in our prayers. As Paul says in Ephesians 6, "And pray in the Spirit on all with all kinds of prayers and request on all occasions." Our faith is expressed through prayer, through the Spirit praying with us, and they are powerful and effective in every situation we find ourselves in.
As we seek to advance God's kingdom, as ambassadors of Christ, we can be sure we will face spiritual opposition. But we need not fear. As we have faith in Christ and his power, greater is he that in us than he that is in the world. One day Satan and his demons will be condemned to hell for eternity, but for now we battle them in Jesus' name and power.
Jesus help us as we confront the darkness in our generation to have faith in you on all occasions, especially as we meet those afflicted by demons. Help us to pray on all occasions completely relying on your name and power through which all things are possible. Amen.
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