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- Oct 26, 2007
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Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Mark 9:17-19
It's hard to imagine Jesus getting exasperated with people who needed His help, but in this passage Jesus is clearly annoyed. With everyone. The father of the mute boy, His disciples, and the whole of Jewish society.
And it's not the only time Jesus became impatient with people's lack of faith: Consider this statement: "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field…how much more will he clothe you--you of little faith!" (Luke 12:28). Or ponder this incident: "Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen" (Mark 16:14).
Jesus can only be known by faith--even back then, when standing in His physical presence. How are you responding to Him today? In faith, or causing Him to be "amazed at [your] lack of faith" (Mark 6:6)?
Prayer: I pray, oh God, as the father of this boy did. Help me to overcome my unbelief.
It's hard to imagine Jesus getting exasperated with people who needed His help, but in this passage Jesus is clearly annoyed. With everyone. The father of the mute boy, His disciples, and the whole of Jewish society.
And it's not the only time Jesus became impatient with people's lack of faith: Consider this statement: "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field…how much more will he clothe you--you of little faith!" (Luke 12:28). Or ponder this incident: "Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen" (Mark 16:14).
Jesus can only be known by faith--even back then, when standing in His physical presence. How are you responding to Him today? In faith, or causing Him to be "amazed at [your] lack of faith" (Mark 6:6)?
Prayer: I pray, oh God, as the father of this boy did. Help me to overcome my unbelief.
