14When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. (Matthew 17:14-18)
Thoughts: Later in this chapter we learn that the disciples could not heal the man's son because they had "so little faith." The disciples were part of a larger unbelieving religious group. You can be religious or superstitious but not really trust in God and His power to do anything in life. If God does nothing- answers no prayer, does not bless or hold us to account- then our God is basically a remote and unimportant philosophy. Jesus rebukes- even becomes angry- at the unbelief of the people of God. We see Jesus get mad at sin- but especially at religious emptiness without belief. Belief is the kernel of our soul- the spark that drives all worship and faith.
Prayer: Lord, let my religion not exist without faith and trust in you. May you nourish my trust with your love and signs of your presence.
Picture taken 7/1/17 at Fourth of July Fireworks on Lake Murray.
Notice lightning made cross that parallels wooden cross.
Notice lightning made cross that parallels wooden cross.
Taken by Kenny Anderson.
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