Where is Our Focus This Week?

 N.T.#204 "Where is Our Focus This Week?"

Dec. 18, 2023 

Matthew 17-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Especially this time of year, we must watch out that we don't get distracted by our busyness that we don't see the needs of others. This is what happened to the remaining 9 disciples while the others and Jesus were up on the Mount of Transfiguration. The remainder were supposed to be on mission bringing others to salvation through faith in Jesus. However, they were so concerned with position and status (Mark 9:32-35) that they lost their focus on what God wanted to do through them. Jesus called them a faithless and perverse generation when they could not cast out the devil in the son of a needy faither. The disciples had lost their power to do the work of God. This epileptic son needed healing and they failed miserably. 

Perverse means to distort; turn away.

Those men were spiritually powerless, lacking the faith to bring physical and spiritual comfort to those God had sent to them. Shouldn't God be able to send hurting people to us His children and expect us to help them? 

We must guart our heart against our own ambitions. We must remain effective in ministering to those whom God sends to us. Be sure that our religious activity does not prevent us from helping others. It is good to take inventory of our life to see if we are being a faithful steward of every life God sends to us.  Who around us is in need? 

[Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

LET IT GROW

The three accounts of this situation indicate the boy's condition resulted from demonic attacks. (Mark 9 and Luke 9) What do we find is his condition?

• He was mute but able to scream.
• He was being slammed to the ground and would become stiff.
• He would foam at the mouth and grid his teeth.
• He would convulse and roll on the ground.
• He was being thrown into fire and water.
• He was being physically injured after each attack.

Can you imagine how much that boy's family suffered? The father learned that Jesus of Nazareth was in town and He had prevously performed miracles. While waiting for Jesus' return, the 9 attempted to deliver the boy from his demonic attacks, but failed. 

Then a large crowd gathered, and even the scribes argued with the disciples. (Mark 9:14) Were the disciples deceivers and a fraud? In spite of all of that, the faither fell to his knees before Jesus, pleading for mercy from Jesus, describing his son's condition. 

Jesus was directing His words to all of humanity-the father, the disciples, the watching crowd, all people throughout history. We remain helpless before sin, sickness, and spiritual wickedness without the power of God intervening for us. 

Bring him hither to Me. (Jesus said in verse 17)

Jesus rebuked the devil. (verse 18 and Mark 9:25) The demon left the boy and he was immediately cured. Don't you know the crowd was amazed, while the father cried tears of joy, embracing his son? Were the disciples bewildered and the scribes skeptical?

The truth is, Jesus had authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons, which He also gave to His disciples.

Our God is all-powerful (omnipotent). The One who spoke this world into being can do whatever He wishes! How thankful I am to be living because He is willing.

LET IT GO

Help us remain on the Vine, in Your love, Jesus.

Open our eyes to see the needs of others around us.

Show us how we can meet those needs with Your help.

Glory to God in the Highest!

Jesus, be our focus this week.