Biblical Discipleship Pt. 13 Discipleship: Glory, Despair and Faith

As we continue to address the issue of discipleship that is a pressing concern for our Pastors. we have come to sit and learn from the feet of Jesus about discipleship. 

On our last post we saw the glory of Jesus at His transfiguration. We learned that we must be actively looking to see the glory of Jesus as we read about Him on the pages of scripture. 

Jesus and His disciples came down from the mount and encountered the darkness of the devil at work. 

Glory gives way to despair. 

Matthew 17:14-16  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15) Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16) And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 

Think about the contrast presented in Matthew's record of the gospel. The disciples just saw the glory of Christ and they both saw and heard Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus. They were covered up by an excessively bright cloud and heard the command of the Father to hear and heed His Son. 

After all of the amazing things they experienced, Jesus and His disciples came down the mountain. A certain man saw them and ran over to kneel down before them. 

The certain man's son was demon possessed. Luke tells us that an evil spirit frequently took his son, tore him, causing him for foam at the mouth and cry out, and badly bruising the boy. It was a horrible situation causing grief and agony for his father (Luke 9:39). 

Mark 9:18  And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 

The demon possessed boy was controlled, torn, foaming and gnashing with his teeth and pining away. The words "pining away" mean that he was withering up and dying from the actions of the demon. 

This certain man knew about Jesus and came seeking Christ. He was disappointed but approached His disciples and asked them to cast out the demon from his son. The words "cast out" refer to using violent or extreme power to drive out a demon. 

The words "they could not" reflect the faltering faith of His disciples because it means that the disciples did not have strength to overcome the demon. The father in this account was frustrated, grief stricken and desperate for someone to help his son. 

Therefore, the other nine disciples faltered in their faith while Jesus was absent from them. Faltering faith means that they could not exercise the miraculous power that Jesus had given them earlier (Matthew 10:1).

There is a parallel to this account from the life of Moses. When Moses was on the mount for forty days receiving the law from the hand of God, Aaron's faith faltered and the people plunged into idolatry after he made a golden calf for them to worship (Exodus 32:1-35). 

Matthew 17:15  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

A desperate father cried out and appealed directly for Jesus to have mercy and compassion for his son's plight. Luke's gospel tells us that this was his only son (Luke 9:38). 

The word "lunatic" literally means "moon struck." The word "lunacy" refers to intermittent insanity believed to be related to phases of the moon. It shares the same root as the word "lunar" which is something relating to the moon.

Jesus confronted unbelief. 

Matthew 17:17  Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 

Jesus did not directly respond to the father’s appeal, nor repel the scoffing Pharisees. With sorrow over the boys condition and with indignation Jesus went straight to the root of this evil. 

The disciples in particular were guilty of not exercising full faith in Christ. The question: "How long shall I be with you?" is a question about them lacking spiritual maturity. How long will it take until they exercise full faith and trust in the words, works and Person of Jesus Christ? 

We cannot please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Faith is the substance of things that we hope for in the Word of God. Faith and hope go together and the same things that are the object of our hope are also the object of our faith. 

Faith is a firm persuasion in our mind with an expectant spirit that God will make good on all of His promises in Christ.  When we are engaged in the holy exercise of faith we will be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith demonstrates to our mind the reality of all beautiful spiritual blessings in Christ that cannot be discerned by our senses. Faith is the firm assent of the soul to the divine revelation and every part of it, declaring that God is true.

Past success is no guarantee of future victory. 

Luke 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 

O faithless and perverse generation! The word "perverse" means turning away from the right path that honors God. It means living in a way that corrupts and damages the soul. 

The people, the scribes and Pharisees had enjoyed Jesus' careful teaching, but they had failed to grasp that faith is the key to open the doors of heaven.  

It would seem that His disciples also forgot the crucial element of faith when they tried and failed to cast the demon out of the boy.

Luke's gospel tells us about the disciples returning to Christ triumphantly, declaring that devils were subject to them through His name. 

What happened to the nine disciples with this possessed son? The text does not elaborate. It may simply be that the terrible rage and power of this demon caused them to take their eyes off Christ, and as their faith wilted, they became ineffective. 

We do have an example of such an event happening to a disciple of Christ.  Peter successfully walked on water when Jesus bid him to go out to Him from the safety of the boat, but when he took his eyes off Christ, Peter began to sink (Matthew 14:22-31). 

Jesus succeeded where the disciples failed. 

Matthew 17:18  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 

Jesus then turned His full attention upon the plight of this young boy and rebuked the devil. He sharply admonished the devil to come out of the boy at that very moment and the demon had no choice but to obey instantly. The very hour and moment Jesus gave the command, the man's son was made whole. 

Seek the Lord when we fail.

Matthew 17:19  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 

The disciples quickly asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon. It is always good for a disciple of Christ to learn from failure and to seek the right way forward from Him.

Faith like a mustard seed.

Matthew 17:20-21  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21) Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 

Jesus cited unbelief as the primary reason the disciples were ineffective in casting out this demon. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). 

This section ended with Jesus reminding His disciples that sometimes prayer and fasting are required to serve Him effectively.

We know that this statement about moving mountains and uprooting trees by faith is not to be taken literally. 

Faith like the mustard seed.

Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

 

Matthew Henry commented : "He means a faith real and trusting, though it be small and weak. The phrase is proverbial, expressive of littleness and insignificance. 

The mustard seed is quite little, but, grown in favorable soil and under sunny skies, it becomes, as it were, a tree among herbs, so that birds may nestle in its branches. 

To it faith is compared, because, small at first, it contains within itself power of large development and increase; from minute grains copious results are produced."

Jesus used several parables to show us what the kingdom of heaven will be like and this is one of them. 

Mustard is an herb that can grow profusely. In some instances it can reach 20 feet tall and has a small tree like form even though it is an herb. 

The idea is that the kingdom of heaven begins on a very small scale. The tiny mustard seed represents the humble beginnings of the heavenly kingdom. Like the plant, the kingdom will be characterized by rapid growth.

Birds lodge in its branches when they are seeking rest and shelter. The definition of lodging is a place where someone stays temporarily.

The church began with a very small group of people, who were staying in Jerusalem awaiting the coming of God's Spirit as Christ promised to send. 

Believers began to understand that they were strangers and pilgrims in this world, looking for their eternal home in heaven. Thus, we enjoy rest in our fellowship and worship with other believers. 

Like the mustard tree the church had a small beginning.

Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Like the mustard tree the church had rapid growth. 

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

3,000 people were saved when the first sermon was preached by Peter. A brand new community of faith formed and people were drawn to salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Like the mustard tree the kingdom of heaven produces lasting benefits.

Acts 2:42-46 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

A mustard tree produces 2-3 inch long pods containing pea sized fruit with a single seed in each one. Mustard fruit has many beneficial things such as vitamins, minerals and certain trace elements.

Thousands of lives were transformed by the power of the gospel. Those folks were faithful to the apostolic teaching, observing the Lord's supper (communion) and they were blessed with close fellowship with other newly saved Christians.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Pastors, Parents and Parishioners are learning more important discipleship principles that will help us grow in our faith.

First, times of glory and rejoicing may be followed by times of difficulty and despair. The disciples of Jesus experienced this and so will we.

Second, our past victories in Christ and the exhilaration are just that: rooted in the past. Each day will bring its own unique problems and opportunities. We must be men and women of faith each day, day by day until the Lord calls us home.

Third, little is much in our Master's hands. Our journey of living by faith begins like a tiny seed of mustard, yet our Lord can cause it to increase for His glory. 

We may be guilty at times of wondering "What is the use of living for God? I have so little to offer and I have no gifts or talents." Yet, God gave us faith and He gave us the gift of His indwelling Spirit. 

If we dedicate our life for serving Christ, Jesus can do much with our "little." He turned common water into wine and multiplied a few loaves of bread and fish into enough food to feed tens of thousands of people. 

Last, we will fail our Lord. Mark it down that this will happen. The key to failure is seeking counsel from Christ. The disciples asked Jesus why they were powerless to help that boy and Jesus told them why. 

He will do the same for us and show us what we must do in order to effectively serve Him going forward. 

May the Spirit of God help us as we seek to live out the glorious truth of the gospel. May we be counted as faithful disciples of Christ.

Bob