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By Rob Des Cotes [other pieces by Rob Des Cotes]
 'The disciples asked him privately, Why couldn't we drive (the evil spirit) out? He replied, This kind can come only by prayer and fasting.' Mark 9:28-29
The Lord gives us wonderful gifts with which to serve others. But if these gifts are not vitally connected to the Giver of our gifts, we will likely fall flat on our faces in terms of our effectiveness. This is the hard lesson the disciples had to learn. God has empowered us to influence the world for good, but let us not underestimate the inner work that is required in order for our outer works to bear their intended fruit.
The type of spiritual transformation that we are meant to be agents of in this world can only come about by diligence in remaining close to God - the prayer and fasting that Jesus prescribes. To be spiritually applied in this world requires that we give ourselves not only to the needs of the world around us, but also to God. We must tend to both the horizontal and vertical necessities of each. Only that which comes from God can truly serve God in this world.
In order for us to be spiritually effective in our influence He must be the source of our empowerment. The disciples' failure here is an object lesson for us all to heed. In the story that precedes this passage from Mark, Jesus has just spent the night on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John. In His absence, the remaining disciples have been dealing with a concerned father who has brought his son, possessed by an evil spirit, in the hope of receiving healing.
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The disciples, though initially buoyed by their recent successes in healing and casting out demons on their own, are unable to help. They appear as fakes to the scribes and mockers who deride them.To the father who had put his faith in them, this seems to be nothing but a cruel hoax. The disciples are speechless, humiliated by their spiritual impotence and exposed as much less than their reputation among the villagers had promised. In John 15, Jesus speaks of a branch that is severed from the vine which, now withered, is only good to be thrown away. Surely these words must be resonating in the disciples' thoughts. But Jesus' parable also provides the antidote to their ineffectiveness. Remain in me and you will bear much fruit..The lesson that this failure taught the disciples is that of the importance of preparation. It's a lesson we have to learn over and over again, usually through the humbling experience of our own of failures. Lord, why aren't we more successful in our ministry? Why do I feel so spiritually impotent? Why does the church seem so ineffective in bringing about spiritual change in the world? This kind can only come by prayer and fasting.
Rob Des Cotes is a spiritual director and pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He teaches Contemplative Traditions at Trinity Western University, as well as courses on spirituality and the arts at Carey Theological College and Columbia Bible College. Rob also directs Imago Dei (www.imagodeicommunity.ca) a network of faith communities that encourages the practice of prayer and a transforming relationship with God. Rob is a regular contributor to canadianchristianity.com
To obtain 'Higher than I' go to: www.clementspublishing.com
May 29/2008
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