PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 9:37-45
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You unbelieving and perverse generation… (Luke 9:41)
What I want to know from this passage is WHO Jesus is speaking about here.
He is speaking about a generation of people who do not trust God (unbelieving).
A perverse generation, which literally means ‘turned through’ (i.e. twisted or mixed up).
(Jesus likely did not mean ‘perverse’ in the way we mean it, as in someone being perverted).
Is it the father that is frustrating Jesus here, or the disciples for not being able to heal?
Or is it in general the many, many people who have given in to deceiving spirits?
“How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” (Luke 9:41)
Is Jesus actually frustrated to the point of wanting to give up, to not put up with people?
How do we fit these words into a sense of God’s love, and how his words might be loving?
I believe Jesus is saying this to everyone in this story, and to all of us, including me.
Jesus does heal the boy, and stay with his disciples, and us… all the way to death.
These words reveal the cost for God in relating to us in our mixed up ways.
The word for patience in Greek is literally ‘long suffering’, and that is what it is for God.
But it also shows how much God loves us, despite our mixed up ways – and that gives me hope!
PRAYER
Lord, I am sure there are times when you say this to me too. Thank you that you do stay with me, and that you have put up with me despite my weak faith and mixed up ways.
Jesus casts out the demon in this little boy and then he talks about how He will be cast to the hands of men – to be handed over – to submit to them. Yet we know He had the power to do otherwise – He had to have the willpower to submit to them – I’m sure the temptation would be to do otherwise – just like Satan tempted him as he began His ministry. But the outcome would have been so different: I for one would have to suffer the ultimate consequence of my sin – death – eternal death – separation from God as Cain best expressed it: a restless wanderer. That is still the point of believing – Jesus had to suffer and go to the cross. He is the way to the Father. Lord I need you- live within my heart. Cast the sin and evil away!
The disciples could not heal due to their lack of faith. Even though He was disappointed He shows His love and mercy and compassion. The disappointed father turned to Jesus and Jesus answered. I need to turn to the Lord at all times and trust Him in all circumstances. He is Lord.
He is Lord, He is Lord!
He is risen from the dead and he is Lord!
Ev’ry knee shall bow, ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.