Unlimited: The Unbelieving Generation | Good News Unlimited
Unlimited: The Unbelieving Generation
May 12, 2024 1941
“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
So, they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:19–22, NIV).
In the previous passage, Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, witnessed by Peter, James, and John. He came down from the mountain into the valley, to find a huge commotion. The Pharisees were arguing with his disciples, because they weren’t able to heal a boy possessed by an evil spirit.
Pay attention to what Jesus says next.
One of the most striking things here is that when Jesus said,
“You unbelieving generation, how long shall I put up with you?”
He wasn’t speaking to the teachers of the law. He was speaking to his own disciples.
This whole, sorry situation is their fault. It begs the question, why couldn’t they heal the boy?
Then, notice how the description of the boy’s affliction highlights the total grip that Satan had on his life. Whatever the evil spirit wants to do with this boy, that’s what he does.
It’s important to see that, in this story, according to Jesus, the sign of being an “unbelieving generation” in this story is spiritual powerlessness.
This should be a wake-up call to followers of Jesus everywhere.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: In this world – a world that needs to see your faith in action, how spiritually strong are you? Could you be part of the “unbelieving generation”? Faith is built from hearing and hearing the Word of God. Be sure you are consistently hearing God’s eternal words.
