Tuesday 15 November 2011
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"Jesus answered, 'You faithless and perverse generation, how long must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?'" (v. 17)
Background
Just before this story of Jesus healing a boy with epilepsy weread about his transfiguration (
A man emerges from the crowd and falls to his knees begging Jesusto cure his son, who is suffering so terribly. Some of thedisciples have already tried and failed to help, and this seems tobe the trigger for Jesus' outburst of frustration. Nevertheless hedoesn't allow his frustration to get in the way of compassion,healing the boy as requested.
And then his friends come to him privately, perhaps embarrassed orcurious as to why Jesus could do what they could not. And they aretold, quite bluntly, that it is because of their "little faith" (v.20).
Up on the mountain top Jesus, along with Peter, James and Johnexperienced at firsthand how close heaven and earth really are: thekingdom of God is present - breaking through into the here and now.And yet in this moment Jesus realises the gap between the realityof the presence of the kingdom and how poorly even his closestfollowers understand the implications that this has.
There is room in the gaps in the text to experience Jesus indifferent ways here. Perhaps:
- He whispers the words of frustration with tears in his eyes,grieving because his followers fail to see the potential in thekingdom breaking through
- He shouts with rage, rebuking them for being so slow witted andlacking insight after all that they have seen and heard whilst theyhave been with him
- He says these words with a sigh and a wry smile, shaking hishead fondly as he is well aware of the weaknesses and failings ofhis friends who he loves so much.
To Ponder
How do you think Jesus says these words to hisdisciples?
What does this tell you about the person Jesus isand how he deals with people and with you?