Daily Scripture: Mark 9:16 He asked them, “What’s the discussion about?” 17 One of the crowd gave him the answer: “Rabbi, I brought my son to you because he has an evil spirit in him that makes him unable to talk. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground — he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes stiff all over. I asked your talmidim to drive the spirit out, but they couldn’t do it.” 19 “People without any trust!” he responded. “How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!” 20 They brought the boy to him; and as soon as the spirit saw him, it threw the boy into a convulsion. 21 Yeshua asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been happening to him?” “Ever since childhood,” he said; 22 “and it often tries to kill him by throwing him into the fire or into the water. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us!” 23 Yeshua said to him, “What do you mean, ‘if you can’? Everything is possible to someone who has trust!” 24 Instantly the father of the child exclaimed, “I do trust — help my lack of trust!”
Reflection Questions:
Jesus came down the mountain from his transfiguration (or transformation—cf. Mark 9:2-13), and found this desperate father waiting. He pleaded for Jesus to cast out the demon plaguing his son. (Many diagnosticians today believe the boy was epileptic. That’s probably right, but this was no time for Jesus to give the father a lesson in neurology.) The father knew he didn’t have a big faith—but he had faith enough to ask for help with his lack of faith!
- Scholar Donald English wrote, “The miracle does not depend on the degree, quality or amount of the man’s faith, but only on his having faith to link him effectively with the ministry of Jesus. It is the ‘faith as small as a mustard seed’ principle at work (Mt. 17:20; Lk. 17:6).” What has helped you avoid trying to “measure” the size of your faith, and to just exercise it instead?
- Just before this story, Jesus went through a lofty spiritual experience. Now he readily stepped in to help one suffering boy and his distraught father. Throughout history, people of faith have felt a tension between addressing “big issues” related to faith and acting concretely to relieve human pain and suffering. In which direction do you most often lean? How can you stay aware of, and responsive to, both of these aspects of Kingdom living?
Today’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is so often true that I “kind of” have faith. Remind me that there is no “kind of”—I either have faith in you or I don’t. Help me especially when I encounter my lack of faith. Amen.Insights from Taylor Breckenridge
Lord Jesus, it is so often true that I “kind of” have faith. Remind me that there is no “kind of”—I either have faith in you or I don’t. Help me especially when I encounter my lack of faith. Amen.Insights from Taylor Breckenridge
Taylor Breckenridge is an intern for RezLife student ministries this summer. She goes to school at the University of Arkansas where she is double-majoring in Spanish and Sociology. Her end goal is to do ministry in some shape or form, so we’ll see where God takes her! Until then, she can probably be found at the nearest coffee shop or off the grid exploring outdoors. She accepts company either way!
Insights to come.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Insights to come.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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