Unbelieving and Perverse

May 4

(Luke 9:37-41 NIV) “The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. {38} A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. {39} A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. {40} I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not." {41} "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

(Mark 9:14-20 NIV) “When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. {15} As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. {16} "What are you arguing with them about?" he 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.”

Where the Lord is absent, conflict and chaos reign. This is still true today. As the church fades in glory, division and mayhem gain strength. Jesus came down from the mountain to a world of impotent disciples and desperate sinners. While His disciples argued religion, Satan’s disciples ran free. It is easier to engage in theological debate than to confront the devil and save lost people. In frustration, Christ looked at the disciples and the religious leaders and called them “unbelieving and perverse”. That is not a mild rebuke. He lamented their failure of faith, their lack of power, and their biblical ignorance. Jesus likely feels the same today when His disciples argue religion, while the desperate remain disenfranchised and in bondage. Focus on the true enemy, Christian. Do not be found among the unbelieving and perverse when the Lord returns. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day