When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.
“What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.
One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”
Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.
He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Awe and beliefWhile I was interning at the Calvary Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem (where Mike pastors) I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Zambia. While there I saw many awe inspiring sights, from our layover in London where I saw the crown jewels, Big Ben and the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace to Victoria Falls, wild elephants and rhinoceroses in Zambia. The trip was amazing and spectacular, but I think I was the most awed on our return to the airport in Newark, New Jersey.
My wife had secretly come to the airport; I was anticipating meeting her at home, to surprise me. She hid behind some of the other travelers who were with us as I waited with some of the teens who had luggage that was delayed. When I emerged from the customs line there she was, standing with a huge smile and tears. I was overwhelmed with awe.
I can’t help but think this is what the crowd must have felt like when Jesus returned with Peter, James and John. He had only been gone a short while, but the crowd felt like it had been an eternity. Recharged by the affirmation from God, Jesus must have looked resplendent and a welcome sight compared to the dirty disciples arguing with the Religious teachers. Here was the one on whose every word they hung. Here was the healer, the one who could do what the disciples could not.
Yet even in the presence of the greatness of Christ there is unbelief. Amazingly only the father admits his unbelief. Certainly others there struggled with disbelief as well. Even when we are in awe we must still believe. Awe is simply a shallow emotion if not accompanied by belief.
Jesus, you are awesome. I bow before you in humble adoration of who you are and what you can do. I admit even in the presence of your greatness I still struggle to believe at times and pray you would help me overcome my unbelief. - Dan Jones
God-Man Mystery
There is more to Jesus than meets the everyday eye. Much more, as Peter, James, and John had just learned. But within hours of peeking into his divine nature they witnessed Jesus frustrated, maybe angry, and, dare we entertain the notion(?), displaying his profound humanity.
Those with medical knowledge cannot help but see the similarities of this boy’s symptoms and epilepsy. Ancients had no concept of this disease and would certainly have attributed these bazaar actions to demonic activity. I believe it is historically accurate to understand this case as a mistaken diagnosis, even by Jesus.
Is it possible that Jesus thought he was casting out a demon when in fact he was healing epilepsy? As critical, does this interpretation force us to abandon biblical authority or question Jesus’ claim to be God?
Not at all. In fact, I believe wrestling with a healing, despite the likelihood of a mistaken diagnosis, ushers us into the true mystery of God becoming human!
Paul writes that the Son, the second person of the Trinity, did not cling to his equality with God but instead “gave up his divine privilages,” or literally, “emptied himself.” Bible scholars have always debated what it was about being God that Jesus gave up in order to become fully human. I think Mark helps answer that question.
Jesus, fully God, retains, among other attributes, his authority over all creation. Mark has already given ample evidence of this. But he also allowed himself to become limited by space and time. Fully human means, he experienced life through first century eyes. He could have seen this boy as epileptic. But, in order to fully enter into our human experience, he allowed himself to see this disease through the lens of that time and place.
Amazing God, the mystery of your incarnation has always baffled. I confess to poor understanding. But I embrace what Mark reports, both on the mountain top and in the valley. I will always love and follow you as the Son of God and the Son of Humanity. - Mike Leamon
No comments:
Post a Comment