Matthew 17:14-20
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
The experience on the mountaintop just prior to the events in today’s passage mark a change in tone of Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus has started sharing clearly with his disciples about the suffering that death that await him, and there is an increasing urgency in his teaching and instruction.
Read Matthew 17:14-20 noting any questions that arise.
The disciples waiting at the foot of the mountain have not had the moment of clarity that Peter, James, and John just experienced. They have been away from the physical presence of Jesus and when faced with a difficult situation, they are unable to do anything helpful.
Jesus’ frustration with them can seem a little surprising, but you may recall that earlier in Matthew’s Gospel we saw Jesus send out all twelve disciples after giving them the authority to “cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness” – Matthew 10:1.
It seems that at the foot of the mountain with Jesus nowhere in sight, the rest of Jesus’ followers have either forgotten that experience or have attempted to do the work of Jesus in their own power and authority. Whichever it is, the boy is still in torment.
It may be unsettling to think about the frustration of Jesus over lack of faith, but for a moment try to sit in silence with that idea. Then share your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly with Jesus.
Read Matthew 17:14-20 again focusing on the healing in this passage and Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question.
“Bring the boy here to me.” With these words Jesus sums up the essence of faith. Faith is not mustering up our courage and trying as hard as we can; faith comes before we make any effort at all. Faith is the realization that we can do nothing, but Jesus can do all things.
In times when we are experiencing the presence of Jesus in tangible ways, and in times when we feel removed from the experience of Jesus’ presence, the essence of faith remains the same. “Bring the boy…,” bring the issue, bring the challenge, bring that person for whom your heart aches to Jesus and believe that he cares and he will act.
For the last minutes of this time of meditation, contemplate these words we have considered before by the author of the letter to the Hebrews:
“…it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
How might Jesus be inviting you to exercise a mustard seed amount of faith today?
What will you do in response?
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