Proper 19

A Mouth Turned towards Jesus

Do we even see the huge distance between Jesus and everyone else? The scribes are railing against Jesus’ disciples because they were unable to cast the demon out of the mute boy. Jesus arrives and shows them He is different. He casts out the demon and opens the mouth of the boy oppressed, that he can praise God.

Jesus was returning from the mount of transfiguration with 3 of his disciples and came across an argument between the other 9 disciples and the scribes. At the center was a mute boy and his father.

Jesus rebukes them for their unbelief and casts out the demon. When the disciples ask why they couldn’t cast it out Jesus tells them that this kind can only be driven out by prayer.

Prayer is not a super-power. Prayer is a barely-power in itself, like the barely faith of the father who pleaded, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Our words don’t have power over Satan, but the one we pray to has all power. That is the power of prayer, not how good you are at it, but how good He is to whom we pray.

Jesus is risen from the dead. We are going to win because He opens our mouths to pray and to sing the Victor’s song.