Teacher heal, Teacher teach

From the mountain experience

How would you describe a “mountain top experience?”

Have you had one? What came after the experience if anything?

Peter, John, and James just had one with the only begotten Son of God, now they are going to come down and help the only begotten son of a father who has a son that is demon possessed.

Recently the Apostles had gone out with power and authority to preach the kingdom, cast out demons, heal sick with great results.

Jesus took them to be alone but the crowds followed and Jesus had compassion on them then came the transfiguration eight day later. Now they come down the mountain.

Teacher look upon my son (Lk9:37-42)

Luke 9:37–38 NASB95

37 On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. 38 And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy,

Luke 9:39–40 NASB95

39 and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves. 40 “I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

Luke 9:41–42 NASB95

41 And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

Anything stick out in particular in this passage?

When did this event take place (v.37)?

On the next day (this is the day after the transfiguration).

What did the man from the crowd request (v.38)?

Teacher I beg you look at my son, my only son.

In (vv.39-40) the issue is described, what is the issue?

The issue is the disciples could not cast out the demon in his son.

What did Jesus tell the unbelieving perverted generation (v.41)?

How long shall I be with you and put up with you?

The last ditch throw down from the demon happens in (v.42), but what was the result?

Jesus rebuked the spirit, healed the boy, gave him back to his father.

We dare not stay on the glorious mountaintop when there are battles to fight in the valley below. Here was another “only child,” needing the help of the Lord (Lk7:12, 8:42)

The dead son, only son of a mother (7:12)

The officials only daughter (8:48)

The apostles had the power and the authority (9:1), yet they could not heal the only son. Why? Is Jesus frustrated, disappointed? Hum.

When studying the parallel passages in (Mt17, and in Mark9 you can learn some things.

In Matthew you learn they lacked faith, they were an unbelieving generation

In Mark you see they were lacking prayer and fating.

All this took place in two days the Lord had been away on the mountaintop. Faith needs to be fed daily, prayer needs to be without ceasing, and fasting as you are led.

So, was the Lord frustrated?

In summary Wiersbe said this:

In this section of Luke’s gospel you better understand why Jesus spoke those words:

He was grieved over the failings of His followers. Had power and authority over Satan yet the could not heal this boy.

When they fed the 5000 Jesus set an example of compassion for others, yet they will show a lack of compassion, and selfishness (Lk9:46-56). They were to deny self and follow Him, yet it seems they still had a “me first,” attitude (Lk9:57-62)

Do you think that the Lord’s frustration or grief here means He loves them any less? Or you any less when your faith, prayer, fasting struggles?

The father implores Jesus, begs Jesus, look at my son. He had faith that is all Jesus had to do was look on his son with compassion and the Savior would help and heal his son.

The apostles had victory over casting out before (Lk9:1), but here it did not happen. But with purpose to be taught, to learn.

Failure here taught them not to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.

Failure here taught them the great superiority of Jesus.

Failure taught them to wish always for the presence of Jesus.

Failure taught them to always come to Jesus with the problem.

“They were confounded at their want of success-but not at their want of faith, which was the cause of their miscarriage!” (Clarke)

Teachers teach

Luke 9:43–44 NASB95

43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”

Luke 9:44–45 NASB95

44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

Anything stick out to you in these verses?

How were the people feeling after the healing (v.43)?

Amazed, marveling

What statement did Jesus want to “sink in” with the disciples (v.44)?

the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.

Why did they not understand the statement (v.45)?

It was concealed from them.

In this passage Jesus reminds the disciples of His mission.

Jesus had just revealed his glory in the transfiguration, His power in casting out the demon that the apostles could not. And, reminded them of His mission.

He says to let these words to sink down, I love what Clarke says on this too:

“To other words,you may lend occasional attention-but to what concerns my suffering and death you must ever listen. Let them constantly occupy a place in your most serious meditations and reflections.”

This is one of several times that they are told of Jesus mission of the cross, yet they did not comprehend, retain it yet, nor would they until after His resurrection (Lk24:6-8)

Luke 24:6–8 NASB95

6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words,

In this case, as the scripture says, it was concealed. They were not to understand it yet.

There has to be a question to why did Jesus bring up His mission, His suffering right after casting out the demon? I will offer you what Courson had to say on this in summary.

The answer I believe to be found in Col2:13-15

Colossians 2:13–14 NASB95

13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Colossians 2:15 NASB95

15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

It is at the cross where Satan is fully defeated, His head is crushed and Jesus heal is bruised by His crucifixion. Fulfilling scripture, fulfilling His purpose.

The cross is the key to seeing people released from the power of the demonic because Satan gains entry at the point a person commits a sin habitually.

It is at the cross our old man is put to death and at the resurrection that the new man is born again no longer a slave to sin.

We do not have freedom until we understand, comprehend what happened on the cross for us. And what happens when we receive the work of the cross on our behalf by faith.