DOWN IN THE VALLEY
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me to know Your presence in my daily life.
Read Luke 9:37–45
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Coming down to earth with a bump is a common experience. It applies as much in our spiritual lives as in any other area.After the mystery and power of yesterday, the four men step into the daily realities of pain, oppression and danger. It’s a setting that could happen anywhere in the world: a desperate father pleading for the health and well-being of his child. He has asked the disciples who weren’t up the mountain to heal the boy, but they have failed.
Jesus’ initial reaction is disturbing. He attributes his son’s continuing sickness to the disciples’ lack of faith and focus (41). What’s Jesus getting at here? Could it be that he’s referring to an earlier incident (9:1,2) where he gave them authority and power to drive out all demons and cure diseases before sending them out? Maybe these stern words are borne out of frustration that they already possess the skills to deal with this kind of situation? This would make sense, although it is hardly comforting for them or us. We tend to be much more comfortable with a kind of open-ended discipleship with few expectations placed on us by Jesus.
Apply
What is God saying to us and what are we doing about it? These two basic questions of discipleship are among the most searching ones that will be addressed to us.
Closing prayer
Lord, in the dry and depleted times, I wait for You in silence.
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