Today’s Reading: Matthew 17:14-27
The disciples were not the only people paying attention, anticipating what Jesus might do next.
At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” – Matthew 17:14-16
Can you picture it? There’s a beautiful mountain and a crowd of people waiting in anticipation to hear from Jesus. A man approaches Jesus and falls to his knees, pleading for the life of his son. He has tried to receive help from Jesus’ followers but their lack of faith has left him disappointed, so here he is calling out to Jesus for help.
THIS FATHER BELIEVED IN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND SO HE CAME TO JESUS.
As a parent, it is painful to consider what this man must have been feeling. His son was very sick and there was nothing he could do to help him – nothing but fall on his knees before the one man whom he believed could free his son. He had done all he knew to do and he was in need of divine intervention.
At times, life’s circumstances feel a lot like “going through the fire”. Stress presses in on every side and makes it hard for us to breathe. “I’m drowning here, Lord! Please save me!” Hear the desperation of a believer in Jesus crying out to be rescued; he’s crying out for healing, begging for escape. He would do anything to see the one he loves so deeply healed of the seizures that take over his little body, so he pleaded for mercy for his son.
Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” – Matthew 17:17
Can you hear it? It’s the HOPE of a father as he runs to get his son. I imagine the words of Jesus were still ringing in his ears and bouncing around his heart as he returned to Jesus with his precious boy.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “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.”
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:21-24
Jesus then rebuked the demon in the boy who was causing the seizures and it left him. When the disciples saw that the boy was well, they asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon.
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” – Matthew 17:20
THIS FATHER BELIEVED IN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND EXPERIENCED A MIRACLE.
Can you feel it? What kind of fire is life throwing you into? What situations or circumstances are you drowning in? God, we ask that you strengthen our faith in you today. Strengthen the faith of your church and your followers. May we empty ourselves of any thoughts that we are capable of helping others without you. May we humbly fall on our knees before you, believing that nothing is impossible for you. Lord, will you cast the enemy from our midst and free us from the evil that tries to control us — that throws us into the fire. Lord, give us the kind of faith that moves mountains.