OCTOBER 13, 2021 READINGS... Mark 9:14-29 & Matthew 17:14-21 & Luke 9:37-43a &
Mark 9:30-32 & Matthew 17:22-23 & Luke 9:43b-45 & Matthew 17:24-27 & Mark 9:33-37 & Matthew 18:1-6 & Luke 9:46-48 & Mark 9:38-41 & Luke 9:49-50 & Mark 9:42-50 &
Matthew 18:7-35
Our reading today begins with the disciples unable to cast a demon out of a young man. This demon was always trying to kill the young man since he was a little child. It would throw him into the fire or into the water. Jesus came upon the scene and told them all if that anything is possible if a person believes. This belief is not an empty hoping something will happen, nor is it an invisible power innate in we humans that we can use to make what we want happen. This is believing in God, and His ability to do all things. The father of this young man expresses his heart to Jesus calling them to believe like this…” I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Have you ever had to express that to the Lord? I would pretty much guarantee that if you have ever had anything happen in your life that overwhelmed you, you have felt just like the father of this young man. I believe it is important for us to be honest with God about our struggle to believe. It is at that place where He will show Himself, and work in us to build our faith. Jesus cast the demon out of the young man. When the disciples wondered why they could not cast of the demon, the Lord told them that they basically did not know how to deal with this particular demon…that they needed to pray and fast.
Jesus deals with bringing understanding to his disciples. He again predicts His coming death. Jesus is moving closer to the time of His last trip to Jerusalem, and His appointment with the cross. The disciples began a little later on to argue about each of their places in the coming kingdom. They were concerned as to who would actually be the greatest. Jesus set them straight…He wanted them to understand that the kingdom of God was not like the world. If one was to be great in the kingdom…it is the one who serves, not the one who requires to be served, who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus then gives great priority to the children. Telling His disciples when they welcomed the children, they welcomed Him and His Father. We see the heart of the Lord for the children. The Lord also gives a great warning to those who would dare hurt the children. This message needs to be heard today with the child sex trafficking, the parents who abuse their children, and those who would dare harm the children by teaching them lies. Finally, Jesus teaches us about forgiveness. It is not a one-time event…if someone offends us and genuinely asks for forgiveness…we are required to forgive…just as the Lord continues to forgive us.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW’S READINGS… John 7:1-9 & Luke 9:51-56 & Matthew 9:18-22 & Luke 9:57-62 & John 7:10-8:20