By Peter Biggs

Jesus, Peter, James and John were returning after Jesus had taken them up to the mountain where He had been 'transfigured'. They were no doubt on a 'high' in awe. They return to a squabble - a sorry sight to be sure. No longer are his followers moving in powerful authoritative ministry, it was down to "words." The remaining nine disciples were arguing, defending their spiritual impotence. The scene unfolds...

We join one of the most dramatic displays of Jesus authority in the Bible.

MARK 9:14 / MATT 17:19

Mark 9:16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he [Jesus] asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. 22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." 23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

Matthew's account of the incident adds, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

What can we learn from this?

1. Don't trust past experience...
It's likely the disciples became confident in previous successes. It seems they had begun to rely upon 'a ministry formula', that had worked before, and then when 'IT' didn't work, they immediately gave up. (Their "faith" being not in the 'deliverer', but in the ministry itself)

We might ask ourselves, especially those in leadership if we have not done the same. When was the last time we stepped out the boat - attempted to do anything purely 'by faith' - to help alleviate suffering with expectancy as we minister. Instead it has come down to mere words. When was the last time we specifically prayed for healing over a person?

For these disciples, as it can be for us, we have dropped down into merely rational thinking to explain our lack of authority.

How quickly the disciples forget the basic need of PRAYER and FAITH and DISCERNMENT (v29 this kind can come out only by prayer)

They were not defeated by a bigger badder demon, but by they're blind prayer-less lack of being able to discern each different demon.

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2. Principles of 'trans-rational' ministry
The challenge of all ministry is to 'move in the Spirit'. Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing. It is not that ministry is 'irrational', but it does transcend the rational. We may understand the condition of the boy as perhaps 'dehydrated', there may be rational reasons for his agitation, however there may be more - in this case a demonic component. All are true. We start with analysis (perhaps an understanding of past hurts, present circumstances, medical issues...) but need there are times when there is more to discern.

• LOOK & THINK...
When faced with a challenge in ministry, usually there is no need for "instant" action.The boy was on the ground in a convulsion. He rolled about foaming at the mouth. Yet Jesus took a case history (albeit a short one).

• DISCERN as you pray...
At best these things take place naturally, (not as steps!) as we walk in the Spirit, but not always.

1. God inhabits the praises of His people. Praise God for who he is, and all he has done in and through Jesus Christ...

2. "I am with you" - draw on his presence with you... his faithful interface...

3. Let God bring love / compassion for the person - fruit of His Spirit. Foundational for all ministry.

4. Wield the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6) Apply scriptures of promise and comfort for situations...

5. Find your faith level. Functional unbelief had a foothold in this father's life, as faces the years of unanswered prayer, years of seeing no miracles. We face the same questions... we have the same ambivalent faith... especially when facing chronic challenges. We may pray, 'Lord help me overcome MY unbelief!'

6. Listen for his instructions... Rationally ask for information (as Jesus did). But also expect to hear from the Lord (words of knowledge). Expect particular prompts of the Spirit, 'loud thoughts', feelings that come.Plus listen well for might not have been shared as well as what you are told. Overall, ask yourself what you sense in the unseen realm?

• STEP OUT & ACT on what you sense...
...he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." In this case Jesus had discerned the name(function) of the demon - "deaf and mute" and stepped out in faith... acted, prayed out.

We might ask ourselves, what do we attempt in faith - to help people that depends on God alone?

What about our Christian community would change if God did nothing?

November 19/2009