1 Corinthians 13:1-13
March 20:2010
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." 32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. - Mark 9:14-30
Every confrontation between Jesus and Satan results in the victory of life over death. But no one could see it. No one could understand. This victory will come at a serious price. The devil does not give us easily. He takes what does not belong to him. He will not give up without a fight. A desperate father finds himself in a hopeless situation. His son has been both demon-possessed and epileptic. He’s fraught with fear. He wants healing for his son before the demon kills him. The boy, who had been sick since childhood, had experienced numerous vicious attacks. The demon had often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. He had faith. He brought his son to Jesus’ disciples. After all, they had been given charge over the demons. Yet even they could not help. All they could do was fuss and fight with the authorities and each other. Now His faith was shaken. “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." 32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. - Mark 9:14-30
Every confrontation between Jesus and Satan results in the victory of life over death. But no one could see it. No one could understand. This victory will come at a serious price. The devil does not give us easily. He takes what does not belong to him. He will not give up without a fight. A desperate father finds himself in a hopeless situation. His son has been both demon-possessed and epileptic. He’s fraught with fear. He wants healing for his son before the demon kills him. The boy, who had been sick since childhood, had experienced numerous vicious attacks. The demon had often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. He had faith. He brought his son to Jesus’ disciples. After all, they had been given charge over the demons. Yet even they could not help. All they could do was fuss and fight with the authorities and each other. Now His faith was shaken. “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”
At Christ’s command evry demon must leave but not without a fight. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But with the touch of the Savior the boy is redeemed, restored, forgiven. Jesus came to a wicked and unbelieving generation. Only by death and prayer can the demons be defeated. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise. Only His death will cause Satan to fall.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds are continually afflicted, may mercifully be relieved by the Passion of Thine only-begotten Son.
Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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