Study Lessons about Christ – Matthew 17:14-20
The title is about Jesus healing a boy who is demon possessed but it is just as much a story about faith.
When times of trouble come, it’s sometimes difficult to show faith.
And, the initial reaction is that we will try to fix the problem ourselves – without God.
This just doesn’t work.
Let’s look at this study lesson from Matthew about faith and how Jesus healed the demoniac – after the disciples couldn’t.
A Question of Faith – Jesus Heals the Demon Possessed Boy
When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.
I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you?
How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”
And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. – Matthew 17:14-20 NASB
Are We Mountain Movers?
Our church vocal ensemble once sang a song entitled “Mountain Mover“.
I thought the title was really catchy but these verses cleverly bring the song to life. How much faith do we really have?
Mustard Seed Faith
Jesus said the disciples were unable to drive the demon from the boy because they lacked the faith to perform this miracle.
How much faith? Faith the size of a mustard seed.
Now, you’ve most likely heard this saying most of your life quoted;
“If you have the faith of a mustard seed …”,
so I’m not going to take up your time with this detail.
What I would like to concentrate on is why the disciples of Christ could not heal the boy.
The Power to Heal – Whose Power?
Lack of Faith? Yes, but let’s dig a bit deeper.
It’s possible that the disciples tried to drive the demon out using their own power, not the unlimited power of God.
They might not yet have realized that they could not heal anyone. or drive out a single demon by themselves — but God could.
Do We Count on Ourselves – or God?
How often do we take it upon ourselves to try and solve our own problems, or go in the direction we want to go instead of listening to the advice of God through prayer?
I can’t speak for you but I am a stubborn person, many times deciding to go my own way or believing my answer is better than God’s.
In truth, this way just doesn’t work.
Prayer Can Help
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0785289607″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/514gEHKjnNL.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”104″]If we will only pray to God (and listen to His answer) to help us with our situations, we can become “Mountain Movers”!
This is when we’ll see God’s great power at work.
Love In Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to look at these verses from John 3:16.