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I take great heart from this story because, like
many I suspect, I identify with the man who answers Jesus, "I
do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (v.24) What an honest
answer! How very different from how we would like to feel about ourselves,
and especially to be seen by others. We would like to declare, "Of course
I believe! How could anyone think for a moment that I could possibly
doubt?" We like to think that we can "do it", whatever "it" is. Exercise
enough faith, say exactly the right word, speak with "authority".
Therein lies the problem facing the disciples. Picture the scene.
"What are you arguing with them about?" Jesus
asked.
A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher I brought my son, who is possessed
by a spirit that has robbed him of speech…I asked your disciples to
drive out the spirit, but they could not." (vv 16-19)
Jesus explained the disciples inability to do as they were asked by
declaring, "This kind can come out only by prayer
and fasting" (v.29) I am reminded of the old hymn What a Friend
we Have in Jesus and of these lines from the first verse:
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Why would anyone forfeit such divine help when faced with such terrible pain and trouble? Perhaps because it is in the nature of men and women to think we can do it ourselves. After all, aren't we Christians? Didn't the Lord call us to work for his kingdom? Perhaps the disciples had taken for granted the power given to them and come to think it was inherent in them.
This is a fundamental difference between the message of Christ and the message of the world. In the world men seek power, and seek to control it, exert it, direct it and use it, choosing when, where and how it will be used. In Christ men and women see that the only power is Christ's and that Christ does not simply devolve power like some boardroom executive but himself directs power through those who are his and who turn to him. Perhaps this was the mistake of the disciples. Maybe prayer and fasting would have brought them to the source of the power needed for the task, power they had presumed was invested in them.
Many struggle today with this same problem, thinking that Jesus has
simply delegated power and gone off leaving them to the job. The truth
is that he dwells in us by his spirit and if we would take our troubles
to him in prayer, to the source of power, we might learn the lesson
of the disciples, save ourselves much pain and gain more peace. May
we find ourselves this week seeking him more than ever, looking to him
to accomplish in us all that is his good will and pleasure, not presuming
anything but carrying all to him in prayer.
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