Matthew 17:21
Most people just tiptoe around this verse, and avoid dealing with it. However, we have the same kind of statement from Christ over in Mark 9 regarding the same thing. So, it must be explained, not skipped. Though we could try a lot of gymnastics to avoid what is being said here, we have to take the text literally.
Jesus is referring directly to the situation which this son of this particular man was in. Notice, if you will in Mark 9:21 that this demon had taken the boy while he was quite young. Notice, also, in both Matthew and Luke, the doubts flying about. The father was doubtful, the disciples were doubtful, the scribes were doubt personified. This young person’s condition was not the result of a home filled with faith, or a community that trusted and worshipped God. Instead, he was the product of a home full of fear, doubt, and, likely, superstition. The community he was raised in treated him as a freak show. He was the ‘lunatic’ boy.
Notice also the description of this malady. It was, as we see, caused by a demon. And yet, it seems that the demon is just that, the cause. The actual condition may have been over and above the possession. Either way, we also see that the demon is said to be ‘dumb’ in Mark 9:17. So, between these things we have a fairly unique case. This does not make me think that this was, then, some sort of super-demon. It was not that more faith was required to cast out this evil being than others. No, the key seems to be in the nature of the case.
Jesus told the disciples this kind would only ‘go out’ by prayer and fasting. It seems that Jesus was helping his disciples understand how to deal with such things in the future. They were to live lives of payer and fasting. They were to have that kind of life. They were to be people of faith in their lifestyles. It was to be what they were all the time, not just when they needed help. But, Jesus was also speaking here of the boy’s father. His faith was stifled by his unbelief. He finally realized this, and then Jesus helps his boy. In other words, the problem with the child was not his problem only, but the problem of his family, and his whole society. They worked off of an ‘if God can’ mindset. Doubt and fear ruled the day. If it were not so, a young child would not have come to be possessed by a demon.
Both prayer and fasting are signs of our dependence upon God. And, when faced by what we see as an ‘odd case’ that is difficult to understand and deal with, we must realize our total dependence upon him. This is what Jesus is teaching here.
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 7:1-10:22
Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your wisdom. You always know what to do no matter what the situation is. You are able to heal. You are able to deliver. You are able help us, no matter what. We can depend upon You. You are always faithful. You never fail us. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Prayer Requests: Pray for a man facing persecution at his job. Pray for a woman who was in a car accident. Pray for a woman with leukemia.
Journal Entry #13344