Luke 9:37-43a
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
I almost can’t stand to read these kinds of passages. The ones where Jesus seems to chastise people for their lack of faith, that is. I mean, here’s a guy in near despair over his son, and a son who is regularly in agony because he is possessed by a spirit. The father has brought his son to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not cast it out. And so now he comes to Jesus. And what does he get? A rebuke laced with insults? It just seems too much.
But maybe that’s the point. Maybe, that is, that’s Jesus’ point. Perhaps the disciples should have been able to cast this demon out. Perhaps Jesus even believes that this man, or some other of the crowd, should have been able to cast it out. Perhaps Jesus despairs over their lack of faith simply because, as a result, they lead diminished lives because of it. And perhaps Jesus is upset because of their refusal to lay hold of abundant life themselves.
Perhaps. I don’t know any of this for sure. I am just wondering.
But I do know that there is any measure of suffering in this world that we could relieve and don’t. The suffering of hunger, of poor water, of conflict over scarce resources, of loneliness and despair. So much suffering that casts us to the ground and convulses us in agony that we could repair if only we had more faith – faith in ourselves, faith in each other, faith that God has provided enough for all of us if we are willing to share.
And yet we don’t. Possessed by fear, convulsed by a greed induced by a sense of scarcity, we refuse to lay hold of the abundant life God has woven into creation and offers us again and again. It’s enough to break your heart.
Maybe that’s what’s happening hear. Maybe we are witnessing Jesus’ heart breaking at our inability to muster the faith, compassion, and courage to care for each other as we should and the needless suffering we endure as a result.
Maybe; again, I don’t know for sure. But I do know that whatever may be happening, whatever disappointment or frustration is going on inside Jesus, he nevertheless heals this boy. That’s what he does, after all – he comes into those places we cannot, or refuse to, go, bringing with him the abundant life and healing of God. And for that we can only be grateful.
Prayer: Dear God, release us from the spirit of fear that we may reach out to release, relieve, and heal those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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