December 11O vercomer

Luke 9:41-43a “O 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 evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
 
OUR Lord doesn’t sound too loving here, does he? He calls his people – and particularly the twelve disciples – “unbelieving” and “perverse” (obstinate and stubborn). Impatient with their small faith he asked, “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” Ouch.
   This teaches us a very important aspect of God’s character: He expects us to live in faith. Recall how the disciples had ministered healing, exorcism and preaching in power and authority (Luke 9:1-6). They were so successful, Galilee’s ruler Herod heard of them and wanted to see Jesus, their rabbi. In Luke’s chronology, that God-powered episode was close to this encounter with an obstinate demon here.
   What happened? Apparently there is a faith issue here. Jesus had empowered his disciples to confront evil. They did so – once. But they could not repeat the work here. Our Lord longed for his own to come out of their stubborn self-focused hearts into daily, faith-filled, Spirit-empowered lives. This is the way Jesus lived and ministered. The Teacher wanted them to be “like Jesus” we would say. Once again, then, Jesus took charge to demonstrate God’s holy power to overcome evil and to overcome his people’s weak faith.
   The Overcomer empowers you today. In Jesus-like faith, you overcome sin with his holiness. In Jesus-like faith, you cast out temptation with his righteousness. In Jesus-like faith, you turn from doubt to trust the Lord’s assurance. In Jesus-like faith you are an overcomer, finding victory each day.
   Some months after this episode, Peter would preach this faith-inspired message, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  (to this response) 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:12-13)
   What changed between Luke 9 and Acts 4? The disciples had become as Jesus. The Holy Spirit had overcome their doubts. They lived and ministered as Jesus had taught and even admonished them. People Knew they had been with Jesus, the Living Lord and Savior of mankind.
   Is that true for you?
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, yours is the power and the glory forever. I pray for the faith to trust this truth each moment of my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.