Matthew 17:14-21, NKJV
This passage took place the day after Jesus took three of His disciples: Peter, James, and John up in a high mountain and transfigured before them. When they came down from the mountain, a man from the multitude came and knelt down before Jesus (v.14). He asked the Lord to have mercy on his son who suffered severely from epilepsy, often falling into the fire and often into the water (v.15). The man brought his son to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not cure him (v.16). Jesus responded: “Ofaithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to Me” (v17).
The father believed Jesus’ disciples could heal his son of epilepsy, but when they failed, he came to Jesus. He desperately wanted his son healed. The epileptic attacks were severe, and his son sometimes fell in fire and sometimes in water. Jesus reprimanded His disciples: “O faithless and perverse generation.” He asked, “how long will He be with them and how long will He put up with them?” Jesus commanded they bring the child to Him.
Believers must have faith in God; faith comes from Him. Therefore, the power to do the good works He has prepared for us is in Him. Our faith stirs Him to move on our behalf.
Children of God, we may live in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, but let’s be that beacon of light, shining out clearly in this faithless world.
Give God glory!