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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)

17. The End of Christ's Ministry in the Mountainous Region of Galilee (Luke 9:10-50)


LUKE 9:37-43
37 It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him. 38 Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn’t.” 41 Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

Christ went with his disciples from the heights of transfiguration on the majestic and sacred Mount Hermon down to the deep Jordan Valley with its disasters, tribulation, and offences. He once more entered into fellowship with men where unclean spirits manifested themselves.

Christ’s followers themselves were defective and weak in their faith. Though they had already driven out demons in the name of Christ (Luke 10:17), they could not heal this demon-possessed boy who was afflicted with epilepsy. The physician Luke described this boy as possessed by a demon. Yet not all diseases are as such, therefore we must be cautious not to judge any disease superficially. It is through faithful prayers in Christ’s fellowship, and silent fasting that the unclean spirit is forced to leave the temple by the power of Christ.

Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful, aware of the unclean spirit and the weakness of his disciples. He had drawn near to his Father and abode in the glory of his love. He rebuked their unbelief, and we can hear in his reproach to them the voice of the Holy Spirit, sorrowful for our malice, and revealing our perverseness and unbelief. The Spirit of the Lord resists our hard hearts, and feels sorrow for our incomplete trust. God was with men, but they did not believe in the presence of his power. Christ remains with us always; so who abides in him and triumphs in his name? The Holy Spirit dwells with his fullness in believers. Then where is the abundance of his love in them?

God’s holiness prompts him to leave and destroy us, for our unbelief is the greatest sin. But his love is patient. God has mercy upon us, and heals our evil hearts. It is good for you to distinguish exactly between yourself and Christ. He is from heaven, but we are subject to falling into hell. He is holy, and we are corrupt. He is Love, and we are selfish and ungrateful. Jesus made himself of no reputation and was given all the authority of his Father, but we do not deny ourselves, and consequently we keep falling continually because of our weakness. Be aware that God wants you to decide that you must believe, and to complete your commitment to his eternal fellowship. Leave the world, and keep away from false spirits, deceitfulness of riches, and superficiality of worldliness that you may win Christ, the Son of God. Set your love upon him for he loves you and drives away your darkness.

The evil spirit in the sick boy, aware of the harshness of Christ's words, became angry and afraid, for the glory of God approached him. And when the disciples came to Jesus with the furious patient, the demon tried to tear the demon-possessed boy. Then Jesus ordered the evil spirit to leave his prey, and thus he delivered the sick boy to the living God. Do you observe Christ’s attention to that poor boy, and how he used his power to save him? Did you realize the meaning of this deed? Even today, Jesus Christ looks after every sick boy in your country and all around the world. I as a spiritual father cried out, “O Lord, have mercy on my son.” Do you cry out by grace on behalf of others, or do you still pray for yourself only?

Blessed are those who pray for others, for the greatness of God appears through their faithful love. Christ is willing to triumph through your faith too. So come to your Lord that he may remove the dictates of your evil heart, and fill you with his faith so that his power may become perfect in your simplicity.

PRAYER: O Father, your love is great, and your power is endless. Forgive my unbelief, and all detested selfishness. Help me to be obedient to the faith that I may pray for others. Save every boy and girl among us who long to become free from their impurities and deceit, and sanctify us completely with your grace.

QUESTION 71: Why did Christ call his disciples and all men a “faithless and perverse generation”?

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