“I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” Matt. 17:16
Nine disciples somewhere on the ground beneath the mount of transfiguration were busy trying to exorcise a demon. They probably commanded the demon to leave with a voice of authority as they had done on previous occasions (Lk 9:1, 6). A crowd had gathered and the nine disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law according to the parallel passage in Mark 9.
After Jesus removes the demon, the disciples come to Jesus in a private moment and asked “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” This was likely the question being debated with the teachers of the law. Sounds like they were arguing without really knowing the answer to the issue being debated. Without an elaborate discourse, Jesus nails the problem precisely…”because you have so little faith.”
Isn’t it interesting that the disciples didn’t see the problem that was in their hearts? Jesus had to point out something about them that they couldn’t recognize in their selves. Maybe there is a subtle kind of unbelief that resides in our heart that is difficult for us to recognize in ourselves.
The point here is not to become more introspective or guilt-laden….there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! The point here is to become wiser and more discerning about our own hearts and the disabling power of unbelief.
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