“The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” 41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.” Luke 9.37-43
Jesus rarely did things half-heartedly. Sometimes he would ask his disciples to do something on his behalf, or ask someone to just have faith and believe and it would happen. In this instance, Jesus is coming down from the mount of Transfiguration. He’s just had an encounter with Moses, Elijah and heard the voice of the Lord audibly. I would certainly rank this as an amazing experience. Was he coming down in confidence? I would think so.
As he returns from the mountain, a man meets him who “begs” Jesus to take a look at his son. The man refers his son as “only a child” which I would guess is between the ages of 5-12. The child is demon possessed. What a terrible affliction for a child. How did this happen? Did the parents do something that caused this possession? Was the child born with some disease that resulted in a demonic presence or seizures? I wonder what ailment or infirmity doctors might consider this today if not demon possession?
The father ”begged” Jesus’ disciples who tried to “drive it out” but “they could not.” This is when Jesus gets decisive. He’s not messing around anymore. This is not little Jesus meek and mild. This is Jesus going to battle, facing the giants of evil and taking them down one at a time. First, however, he is put out with the onlookers and says, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” Then looking at the man, he says, “Bring your son here.”
It’s not often that Jesus calls out the crowd like this. Harsh words from a fiery prophet. Then he asks the boy be brought to him so everyone can see what God is about to do.
Even a the boy is delivered to Jesus, the demon is throwing the boy to the ground and causing him to convulse. “Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.” (V.42-43) Notice the action — he rebukes, he heals, he restores. We’ve seen the Lord do this time and time again in Scripture.
God is good! Jesus has the power at his finger tips! He takes authority and does what needs to be done. He acts decisively and brings glory to God and a boy back to his father.
Thanks be to God.
“O Lord God, come Lord Jesus. Fill us with your power and love. Thank you for your healing strength. Come Holy Spirit and help us believe in you and what you have in store for your people. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen