Matthew 17

ScriptureMatthew 17:17-20¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, 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.” ^[21] [aObservation Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountain top and they have a literal mountaintop God experience – Jesus is transfigured before their eyes and Moses and Elijah show up and are talking to Jesus too.  Jesus clears up some misunderstandings about Elijah and John the Baptist and asks the chosen disciples to keep the experience quiet until AFTER he dies and is raised from the dead. As they return to the crowd, a man comes to Jesus on behalf of his demon-possessed son – asking for healing.  It is noted that the boy was brought to the disciples and they could not heal him. Jesus calls out the lack of faith in the disciples.UnderstandingThis – lack of faith – continues to be an area of conviction for me. There’s the knowledge side of me that believes it’s possible but I often feel my prayers lack the conviction.  I remember in recent weeks Pastor Levi giving an example of a big bold request, with a sheepish “if it be your will.”  I laughed because it’s so often EXACTLY how I pray. Life ApplicationGod, I don’t want to be part of the “unbelieving and perverse generation.”  Please help build my faith.  Help the head knowledge become heart knowledge.  May I believe with power and conviction in just how powerful and mighty you are.  You are forever responsive and trustworthy…may I continue to lean more and more onto you, developing my faith to a level of deep, unshakeable roots.  And may I pass this on to my children as well. In your name, I pray.  Amen.To check out the discussion or to join in click here.- Rei