March 26, 2006
A FAITHLESS AND PERVERSE GENERATION
Matthew 17:10-21

   Coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration the disciples asked, "Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?" The scribes had it right, just as Malachi had prophesied, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD" (Mal. 4:5). The Lord explained, Elijah had already come, and Israel's leaders did to him whatever they wanted. He had been beheaded. He added, "Likewise shall also the Son of man also suffer of them." They understood He meant John the Baptist but understood not that He would suffer and die!
   Later they met a multitude and a man whose son was demon possessed. He explained how the Lord's disciples could do nothing. The Lord, exasperated at their unbelief, requested the lad be brought to Him. "Jesus rebuked the demon...the child was cured from that very hour" (Mt. 17:18).
   The disciples had been successful healing the sick, cleansing lepers... and casting out demons" (Mt. 10:8). They were distressed and embarrassed at their present failure and asked, "Why could not we cast him out?" (17:19). The Lord's answer, "...this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting" escaped the disciples then as it escapes Bible readers today.
   Earlier the disciples of John had questioned the Lord, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, and Thy disciples fast not?" The Lord answered, "The days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then they shall fast" (Mt. 9:13-15). He looked ahead to His rejection, which time had finally come. Yet the disciples understand not! The Lord cautioned, "'Let these saying sink down into your ears...for the Son of man shall be delivered in the hands of men.' But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask Him of that saying" (Lk. 9:44-45). Thus their helplessness.
   When their ministry was in harmony with the Lord's situation they had success. On the holy mount, Moses and Elijah had even spoken about His decease which He would accomplish at Jerusalem. The Lord had announced He would soon suffer and die. The time for them to fast had arrived, but they were too self-centered to hear. Their main concern was to sit on His right or left hand. The Lord had said, "Without Me ye can do nothing," and their present helplessness evidenced the same. The lesson for us is that ministry out of harmony with God's program will be fruitless.

Ivan L. Burgener