WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Examine your own strength of faith and take courage that growth in faith is a possibility for followers of Christ. From glory to despair Returning from the mount of transfiguration, Peter, James and John meet the other disciples, who have already shown that their faith is inadequate to deal with this severe case of demon possession. They move from glory to despair, from what speaks eloquently of God, to that which speaks only of the power of Satan. At the centre is a desperate father, with whom many will sympathise. His particular source of anguish is his son’s distressing life-long experience of possession. Jesus’ disciples are simply ill-equipped to tackle this kind of problem without him. Following the spiritual highs of Peter’s confession and the revelation on the mountain, prayer is identified as the only source of power to cope with a demonically charged world. The power of faith The father, like many people, has faith but needs help to access its power within his own experience (v 24). Jesus addresses both the father’s need and demonstrates the power of faith to his disciples. At his command a dramatic turnaround in the boy’s condition takes place (vs 25–27). The story could not be more dramatic; the lesson for disciples could not be simpler: such spiritual power is only available through faith, acquired by prayer. Respond: In the face of such teaching most of us feel inadequate. Turn now to God and ask him to increase your faith and power to face future challenges. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-09-15