This passage is very encouraging as we discover how important faith is. We learned last week how this scenario is proof of God’s statement, “This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to Him”. God did not tell us to listen to Moses or Elijah but to Jesus, His Son. It is Jesus alone we must follow and obey.
While Jesus was on the mountain, a father is having a worst-case scenario, with his son being demon possessed in a very horrific way, causing seizures and harm to the boy. At first, the father went to Jesus’ disciples because the disciples had performed miracles before. Unfortunately, they were powerless against this demon (Luke 9:40).
After hearing what happened, Jesus gives His diagnosis. Both the father and the disciples are facing a difficult situation. They had failed and didn’t know what to do. Jesus answered and said to them, “You unbelieving…”. (Luke 9:41). This is not Jesus’ lamentation to them but His righteous response by identifying their problem. The disciples were true believers, they know who Jesus is (Luke 9:20), but they failed to apply their faith to this situation. Faith is simply trusting in Jesus and His Word. It is obvious to put our faith in God because He is God. No one else will do. Whatever happens, no matter what is going on, what you need most is faith. The boy was in the midst of a painful episode, yet Jesus calls them unbelieving. He points out their lack of faith in a situation that seems medical and physical (Luke 8:24-25). Be assured, faith is the solution (Luke 8:50). Our God works through faith. Sometimes people’s professionalism and expertise can be a hindrance to God’s work because it can rob our peace of mind and limit our dependence on Him. Jesus knows your problem and how to handle it.
Not only did they lack faith but Jesus also called them a “perverted generation”. Perverted means twisted or distorted. Today’s generation is also perverted, deviating from God’s truth and twisting things for their own sinful purposes (Deut 32:5). Jesus is accusing the disciples of following the pattern of the Israelites in the Old Testament. They are twisting their understanding of Jesus the Messiah, resisting the suffering that Jesus will go through (Luke 9:22). Your faith must not be perverted but in the Jesus of the Bible.
With the concerns of the world (work, family, kids, health, and finances), we neglect our concern for our faith. We ignore the warnings from our ministers and God’s Word until it’s too late and we are in trouble. Jesus says, “How long shall I be with you and put up with you?” Jesus is saying time is running out. Soon He will die on Calvary and ascend into heaven. He won’t be with them physically which is why they will need faith. We must be more urgent about our faith while waiting for our day of redemption (Eph 4:30). Jesus is not physically present, but by faith, we know He is with us. Disobedience builds a hardness to God’s presence and His word (Numbers 14:40,43). Harry Reeder said, “The felt and sustained presence of God is more important than any success in life, even life itself.” Do you feel God is hiding his face from you (Deut 35:20). Then you must examine your faith. Then confess your sins and repent.
After Jesus gives His diagnosis, He says “Bring your son here”. Jesus exercises His authority and commands them. He displays that He is God-worthy of our faith. Jesus is fully man (Luke 2:52) and fully God. As a man, Jesus subjected Himself to limitations and also learned, and grew in faith and obedience (Hebrews 5:7-8). Jesus grew in faith through practice. He started small but eventually, His faith was strong to endure the cross. Jesus’ faith also grew through prayer. It takes faith to pray and prayer is faith. The wonderful truth is that God listens to our prayers. Jesus’ faith also grew through suffering. Our suffering is not by chance but under God’s intentional sovereign will. Suffering is not needless or wasteful but God causes it for our good (Romans 8:28). If you are suffering now, you have reason to be thankful and joyful because God is growing your faith for His glory.
In Luke 9:42, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy. Faith works! However right before Jesus healed, there was one final resistance. The demon threw the boy into convulsions in a final dramatic attempt to destroy him. The same occurs with faith and sin. Before we see faith’s result, we go through a final struggle (2 Cor 4:8; Job 23:10). Faith that is tested comes out as gold.
Jesus gave the boy back to his father. What a touching moment. The father has received back his only son. How loving our Lord is to restore this son to his father. God also works through faith to restore us to Himself. Faith comes first and it results in the most wonderful and powerful love. In all circumstances, we must remember, the only thing that counts is faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
Leave a comment