Don’t Believe Your Own Press
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Mark 9:17-29
17. And one of the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; 18. and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." 19. And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." 20. And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. 22. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." 23. And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." 24. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" 25. And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." 26. And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." 27. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29. And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."
Reading this account, one would have the impression that the apostles had become a little “big for their britches!” Jesus had commanded them to go and heal and cast out demons. And certainly as they traveled they met many in need of healing of some kind who they were able to help. On their own, without Jesus at their side, they may have forgotten the true source of their power. They may have lost track of their true mission. It was not just to heal and help! No! It was to heal and help in the name of God! After a time, they may have come to believe the power was inherent in them.
Jesus seems pretty annoyed with the entire situation, doesn’t he? And really, who could blame him? It was obvious to him that the disciples had yet again fallen under their own spell! And don’t we all? When we’re “doing good” don’t we forget sometimes why we’re doing it? Don’t we start to be “believe our own press?” Don’t we begin to think highly of ourselves? Don’t we forget the source of all good in the world? That’s what has happened here! Perhaps this situation unfolded as it did to remind the disciples who really was the teacher! And to remind them of the source of the power to perform those miracles everyone marveled at! Remember, Jesus always called upon His Father, always stated that the miracles were in His Father’s name.
The evil spirit instantly recognized Jesus as powerful beyond any ability man might display! He was terrified! But Jesus used even this stubborn evil entity for his own purpose -- to offer a reminder and a lesson: Don’t forget what you’re about. Don’t forget me. Don’t forget my words and my actions. Don’t forget to pray. And by the way, don’t show off at God’s expense!
People don’t really change much over time. Don’t we do this all the time? When things are going well in our lives, we take the credit for ourselves. Ahh . . . life is good. I’ve worked so hard, done so many good things, tithed, been active in my church, took Christian parenting classes, served on committees at church, coached the soccer team . . . I’m “superhuman!” I still go to church, but I’m a bit smug. I’m blessed because I deserve it! And the better life gets, the more credit I take for myself. I forget the source of all this good in my life! I inch God out.
Jesus came to save us from ourselves! It is somehow reassuring that even those he chose to be his closest companions and upon whom the fate of “the church” rested, fell into the same traps we set for ourselves! Even they forgot who was really in charge sometimes! And they had Jesus with them!
I hope today you remember the source of all good in your life. And that you offer a prayer of thanks and praise to the God who gives us infinitely more than we could ever deserve.
Mary
