WHY ARGUE ABOUT IT WHEN THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS?
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, my wife and I discovered a place of retreat called the Peaks of Otter. Anytime we needed to “get away from it all” we headed there because it was a short distance from where we lived in the Roanoke Valley.
We enjoyed the experience for as long as we could because we knew that, no matter how tranquil our visit to the mountain top, upon returning to the valley we would once again be inundated by the vicissitudes of life.
There was always so much that people wanted to argue about – politically, socially, economically, but most aggravating were theological disagreements. My question is: Why parse words and split hairs over matters of faith, the answers to which are obvious, IF Jesus is consulted?
We have seen before that even demons possess greater awareness of our Lord’s authority than do some of his disciples . . . Who can forget how “Legion” literally pled with Jesus to send them into the swine rather than cast them into hell fire?
Yet, despite all the arguing we may engage in, “the word is nigh unto you, even in your mouth and heart” IF a Christian will just “heed the truth, in love”!
Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James and John had returned to the valley from the mountain on which Jesus had been transfigured before them. What a spiritual moment they had experienced! “Why not just stay here?” God knows that we need a retreat - a place of refuge, respite, rejuvenation!
However, Jesus knew work still needed to be done. Folks: Think not for one moment that God is through with you! Just when you find time to relax, and are ready to forget about all the stuff going on around you, lo and behold, here comes trouble - usually from a least expected source!
No sooner had the inner circle of Jesus arrived back in the valley of reality did they hear arguing between the other nine disciples and their Lord’s enemies -who stood ready to pounce on any good wrought by Jesus, or even the mention of his name; they sought to belittle him or to besmirch any good done by him. In short, they were out to destroy his reputation and thus to dissuade his followers.
What got Jesus’ attention was not the argument, but a father who brought his demon-possessed son who needed to be healed. Jesus interrupted the arguing to focus on a need to which he was the obvious answer – Mark 9:17-29 . . .
We live in a broken world! That is the message of Mark’s account of what was going on in the valley while those closest to Jesus were on a retreat up in the mountains. All around us, and beyond, there is suffering of a magnitude we never imagined possible until technology brought the stories into our living rooms.
Notice in this story about a demon-possessed adult child that it was not his physical, or mental problem that the father was concerned about; it was his son’s spiritual condition.
Even though we know that “demon-possession” was assigned to all sorts of medical maladies back then, nonetheless such suffering was viewed in the context of Satan’s attempts to attack, disparage, destroy God’s creation.
As innocent as this “child” might have been – and much of the suffering we witness in our world is endured by the innocent – Satan and his cohorts continued to be active - doing evil and destructive work, even in the lives of the innocent . . .
Now hear this: Persons who struggle with hurts often look to Christians for help. Q: How do Christians offer help and encouragement to those who suffer? Do we act in faith and with compassion, as we should?
“If you can do anything, Jesus, have compassion, take pity on us, help us.” “If” Jesus can? Where did the one seeking help get the notion that maybe Jesus could not, would not, help? From his disciples? Do Christians ever “stutter”, “stumble”, or “fumble” around, trying to come up with an answer to a person’s need? Either Christ is sufficient for every need or he is not.
If my testimony is that Jesus has made me whole spiritually and, therefore, I can endure whatever my physical or mental malady might be; then I am ready to offer help - at least a word of encouragement - to whoever looks to me for the answer.
However, notice that Jesus turned the question back to the inquirer.
You see, the question is not, “Can Christ help?” but “Will we believe?” Here again, it’s the spiritual aspect of a situation that must be dealt with. Like someone said, “We need to cultivate a sense of the possible!” Folks:
It’s not that all I’ve got to do is say “I believe” and “it” will be so; it’s more like this: If I truly believe that all things are possible with God – in God I trust – no matter how “it” turns out, I will be in a state of contentment because I know that, in Him, I am secure - even though I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death!
Presence is the key! My faith grows as I spend time in the Lord’s presence. In His presence, there is wonder-working power . . . assures me that no power on earth or of hell is too great for Him who “holds me” in His “hands”!
Remember what Jesus said? “I give them eternal life; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.” (John 10:28-29)
Yes, of course! Christians are to minister to the sick, care for the dying, get medical help for those in need, rescue the perishing, respond to cries for help, send those who can respond, lift the fallen, take care of the little ones, show compassion, be merciful, go the second mile. It’s the Christian thing to do! But:
When all has been done, and we have told people about Jesus - mighty to save – go on a retreat if you must . . .; but never forget, there is still much work to do in the valley - as reflected in the disciples’ question, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” or, as I asked at one point, “Why can’t I solve everybody’s problems, Lord?”
While you and I might spend too much time arguing the pros and cons of Christian Doctrine, at some point along the way, the reality of living in the valley sets in: And power from on high is what it takes to solve the basic problems of sin, sickness, and suffering in the world. Demonic forces are real, but Christ is greater!
We can know the peace that comes from the presence and power of Christ through prayer and spiritual discipline that takes the focus off our plight and puts the primary focus on the Lord. By faith in Christ, we overcome demonic forces that seek to discourage, dissuade, destroy us.
Our faith is strengthened through prayer. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person ‘availeth much’ - is powerful.” The discipline to keep on praying will result in strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow!
A person within my own family – a sister-in-law – represents to me the righteous person whose faith has kept her strong and effectively serving God.
There has been no shortage of temptations and trials which she has fought to overcome –abandoned by her mom as an infant, dad and only sibling committed suicide, husband dropped dead, betrayed by second husband, her heart broken by her only daughter.
Her saving grace was her faith in God - instilled in her by her grandmother who reared her and educated her to be a devout, disciplined Catholic - and her one and only son who grew up to become a “model son”.
Ask her how she survived her past to become the strong Christian that she is today, and she will tell you unequivocally that she always “fell back on” her faith in Christ, consistently devoting herself to “prayer and Christian disciplines” - without wavering.
Folks: “Let us hold to the hope we profess, without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Amen.
