Knowing The Word in Luke 9:37-43

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

Comments

Luke recorded four short incidents demonstrating the disciples’ lack of faith, their slowness to learn, and their pride and intolerance. We will cover these over the rest of the week. We and the disciples still have much to learn!

After Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he found his brother Aaron had made a golden calf for the people to worship. In an unmistakable parallel, Jesus finds a “faithless and twisted generation.” He taught his disciples how to handle demons and drive them out, but here they have failed. Why are the disciples not able to do what they did before? Luke does not give us a satisfying answer other than when Jesus, Peter, James, and John were away, the rest of the disciples, without their leadership, floundered.

The demon, attempting to maintain his dominance over the boy, threw him to the ground. Jesus quickly responded, demonstrating his supremacy is evident on the mountaintop and on the plain.

Application

Think of a time when you were left in charge and things got really messed up. Did you learn from your failure? Wise and secure people learn from failure. Others try and cover up their failures, often time giving excuses and not taking responsibility. Disciples of Jesus make mistakes. We all do, but he is always present to put things right.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I sometimes make a mess of things. Thank you that you are always here for me. Help me learn from my sins and my mistakes. I know you are full of mercy and grace. I want to be like you when others sin and make mistakes. Give me a compassionate, forgiving heart like yours.