Reflections on Pentecost 17 - Proper 19

Pentecost 17 – Proper 19

15 September, 2018

Collect for Proper 19 –Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace.

The theme for today, “The Faith of a Christian,” is seen in all three of our readings. In the Old Testament lesson: [Isaiah 50:4-10] The Christian faith endures suffering. In the Epistle lesson: [James 3:1-2] The Christian faith is expressed in impartial service. In the Gospel lesson: [Mark 9:14-29] Christian faith is needed when confronting demon possession.

 Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit - Mark 9:14-29

Matthew (17:14-20) and Luke (9:37-43) also include this story of a demon-possessed boy, but Mark’s account is much more detailed being twice the length of the other two. The account here gives the strong impression of a first-hand, eyewitness testimony. Most likely we have Peter again relaying to us what he saw and remembers from this miraculous event.

Contrasting the Transfiguration (the event leading up to this morning’s reading) with the healing of the demon-possessed boy proves instructive.

Transfiguration	Healing of the boy
On the mountain top	In the valley
The kingdom of God on display	The kingdom of Satan on display
A son is radiantly glorified	A son is terribly demonized
A father is honored by a son	A father is horrified by his son
The disciple are confused, Lacking understanding	The disciples are defeated, lacking power
A lesson about the future	A lesson about faith
A display about divine power	A directive concerning prayer

From an initial reading of today’s lesson it would appear the boy suffered from epilepsy. But upon further review we find something worse. Demon possession! With this young man, the devil tried to burn him in the fire and yet another time he almost drowned. These were not merely “battle scares” this young man had accrued. This was an onslaught the devil had leashed upon him. These were not isolated incidents but continued blows this poor man had received.

Christian faith is needed when confronted by demon possession. The devil can make life a living hell on earth. With this boy it had been a long painful struggle “from childhood.” 

Do you know your weaknesses? The devil knows them – better than we know them ourselves. Our struggle, says St. Paul, “is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:16) Know your enemy!

 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Know your enemy well. Better yet, run to the safe arms of the Savior for salvation and life.

The disciples need to learn, that so many of us need to learn. “I need help. I can’t do this by myself,” but “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). In contrast, I can do nothing at all that really matters without Jesus.

Ø  Failure should lead us to ask questions of ourselves See Mark.9:28

Ø  Introspection is a healthy spiritual discipline when it causes us to examine our weaknesses and confront our limitations. How so?

Ø  Self-sufficiency may be viewed as a great strength by the world but it is deadly to our spiritual lives. How? Why?

Ø  The disciples failed and they failed big time. It was public, became the source of ridicule, cast doubt on their Master and mission, and filled them with self-doubt. When has this happened to you?

Ø  So when Jesus “entered the house” for a time of private reflection and debriefing they asked the question troubling their hearts, “Why could we not cast it [the demon] out?” Their question betrays a sense of confidence in their own strengths and abilities. It suggests a spirit of pride rooted in past accomplishments (6:7-13) that they believed should have been sufficient for this encounter. We did it before and we will do it again. But it didn’t work this time. Why?

Ø  Failure leads them to question themselves. This is a good thing!

Every wound that paints or grieves me

By Your wounds, Lord, is made whole

When I’m faint, Your cross revives me,

Grating new life to my soul.

Yes, Your comfort renders sweet Every bittern cup I meet;

For Your all atoning passion

Has procured my soul’s salvation

Lutheran Service Book “Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing. stanza 4

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House and from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House.

Image © Ed Rioja Higher Things