WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday April 17, 2016

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A SOUND MIND

(JESUS has power over darkness)

(Luke 8:26-38)

   In Luke chapter 8, verses 26-38, we see Luke’s account of the story of a man, who was possessed by a group of demons calling themselves “Legion”. Here we see a rather bizarre thing occurring, and in order for us to understand this story, we must do our best to read between the lines. Like in many Biblical stories, the author may speak in terms that are difficult for the modern-day reader to comprehend, and here Luke’s account is no different. Here he speaks in terms that are familiar to the people of those times, but may seem very strange to us in this generation.

 After JESUS had showed HIS mastery over nature by calming the storm that surrounded HIMSELF and HIS crew of disciples as they were crossing over the Sea of Galilee, they headed for the land of the Gerasenes, or, Gadarenes, as they were also called. The Gadarenes inhabited a city called Gadara, which was the capital of the Roman province of Perea. It was located on the east side of the Jordan River, about ten miles from the Sea of Galilee, and opposite Tiberias.

When they had landed, we see that, just as JESUS is climbing out of the boat, a man possessed with many demons runs up to HIM and falls to his knees before HIM. Here we see that the demons inside the man recognized just WHO JESUS was, and after JESUS had commanded them to come out, they cried out in fear, saying, “Why are YOU bothering us JESUS, SON of the Most, High GOD? Please, I beg YOU, don’t torture us!”

    The demon’s name in this instance, which is “Legion”, gives us a clue as to how many demons may have been present inside the man. “Legion”, by definition, was “a Roman regiment consisting of 6000 troops”. We also see in this passage that, subsequently, JESUS cast the demons out of the man, into a herd of two thousand swine, causing them to run down a steep embankment, fall into the sea, and drown. One can only imagine that there must have been quite a storm going on inside of this demon-possessed man.

    Here we see JESUS, once again, showing us HIS mastery over satan and his demons. Here the demon-possessed man, recognizing the presence of JESUS, and having the storm inside of him being made calm by our LORD and SAVIOR, with the subsequent release of those demons from his body at the very command of HIS voice.

    The lesson to be learned here from this story and the previous story of JESUS’ calming of the storm at sea, is that, it doesn’t really matter if we are in the storm, like the disciples were in verses 22-25 of this chapter, or, the storms of sorrows, problems, and anxiety are in us, like this demon-possessed man in this second story, to recognize GOD as the object of our faith, is the key to gaining “peace of mind” and “soundness of mind” in our lives.

    Another thing that we can take away from these passages is that, it doesn’t really matter so much what JESUS did to bring soundness of mind to the demon-possessed man here in this passage. Nor does it matter what HE did on that night, when HE spoke to the sea, “Peace be still”, and the winds too, did obey. And nor, does it even matter what JESUS did one morning on a different occasion in far-off Palestine, when HE walked on water, to encourage Peter and those same disciples to put away their fears and anxieties (Mark 6:45-52).

    What we really need to understand here is that, these miracles represent to us, a sign, and a symbol of what GOD always does for those who have faith, and believe in HIM. And they say in effect, that, when we are in danger of being overwhelmed by the “storms of life”, GOD, will keep in perfect peace, the mind that stays on HIM, because it trusts HIM. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday April 10, 2016

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A FRESH START

(Faith expressed through love and forgiveness)

(Luke 7:36-50)

   Two days before the Passover celebration and the Festival of unleavened bread in Jerusalem, the leading priests, Pharisees, and teachers of religious law were busy looking for an opportunity to secretly capture JESUS and put HIM to death. However, they had all agreed that they would not attempt anything until after the Passover because they feared that, because of JESUS’ popularity among the people, a move on HIS life might cause a riot at that time.

    Meanwhile JESUS, ironically, was in Bethany visiting the home of another Pharisee named Simon, who was also a leper. Simon had invited JESUS to his home to have a meal with him and some of his other guests. It was customary that whenever a respected Rabbi was attending a meal in a well-to-do person’s home, which contained an outer courtyard such as Simon’s did, that people would wander into the gathering in order to take in some of the knowledge and wisdom that was being imparted.

    Traditionally, when the special guest arrived, there would be a customary three-part ritual that would take place between the host and his guest. First, the host would place his hand on the shoulder of the guest and welcome them with a hug and a kiss. Secondly, the host would have one of his servants to pour cold water on the guest’s feet to clean and comfort them. And then finally, either a pinch of sweet smelling incense was burned, or a drop of rose fragrant oil would be applied to the head of the guest. In the case of JESUS’ visit with Simon, HE did not receive this traditional honor, and JESUS would remind Simon of this later in verses 44-46.

    In biblical times, when the Jews ate a meal, they would do so while lying in an inclined position, on low couches, using one of their arms to prop them up, at a very low table. This explains how the so-called, “immoral woman” was able to kneel down behind JESUS near HIS feet as it is described in verse 38a.

    At any rate, this certain woman, who had heard that JESUS was going to be present at Simon’s dinner, came prepared to anoint HIM with some fairly expensive perfume that was contained in a beautiful jar. She knelt down behind JESUS, at HIS feet, and began to sob bitterly, and her tears were so plentiful, that, she was able to wash JESUS’s feet with them.

    When she began to wipe her tears from JESUS’ feet with her own hair, and then proceeded to kiss HIS feet, while applying the expensive perfume to them, Simon began to protest to himself, thinking “This proves that JESUS is no prophet. If GOD had really sent HIM, HE would know what kind of a woman is touching HIM. She’s a sinner!”

    Reading the innermost thoughts of the confused host, JESUS said to him, “I have something to say to you Simon”, and HE began to teach the Pharisee a lesson in “forgiveness”, as HE relates to him, a parable of a man who had loaned money to two different individuals, who weren’t able to repay the debt. One individual owed the man 500 pieces of silver, while the other owed 50 pieces. The kind man decided to forgive both men of their debt to him, tearing up both of their bills.

    Then JESUS asked Simon which man do you think was the most appreciative of what the lender did for them, and who showed the man the most love? Simon replied, “Why it is the one whom he forgave the most debt”. “That’s correct”, JESUS said, and HE then turned to the woman and reminded Simon that he had neglected to honor HIM in the traditional way when HE arrived at his home, and yet this woman, by washing JESUS’ feet with her tears of “repent”, and wiping away those tears with her hair, kissing HIS feet, and then anointing them with costly perfume, had not only honored JESUS in the traditional way, but she had also honored HIM in a truly “sacrificial and personal, intimate way.

    In the biblical Greek, the word used for “forgive” is “aphemi” and it means “to send away” or “wipe away”, in this case, sin. In verse 47 of this passage JESUS says to Simon, “I tell you, her sins, and they are many, have been forgiven, and so she has shown ME much love. But the person who is forgiven little shows only a little love”. Then JESUS turned to the woman and made a statement that all Pharisees, and teachers of the religious hierarchy of the day, believed only GOD can make, when HE said, “Your sins are forgiven”.

    By making such a statement, JESUS was leaving no doubt, and actually declaring to the religious hierarchy in Israel, that HE has the authority of GOD over mankind to, not only, forgive sin, but indeed, over all things here on earth. The men at the table of honor were indignant and began to murmur among themselves, saying, “WHO does HE think HE is, going around forgiving sin?” And JESUS said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace”

    The reason why JESUS once stated that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter into the Kingdom of heaven is because, the rich are those who are least likely to be conscious of any needs in this life. Simon in this story wasn’t conscience of any need for forgiveness, and therefore, felt no love for JESUS. This is evidenced in his failure to treat JESUS as, even ordinary guests were treated in those days by the hosts. He felt no love for JESUS, and so he could receive no forgiveness from JESUS, WHO is GOD.

    Simon felt that he was a “good man” before men and GOD, and through his own efforts, he had put himself in a position where all of his needs could be met by either his wealth and/or, his position of power, despite the fact that he was, even then, saddled by an incurable disease called leprosy, which could have been eradicated by JESUS, had he humbled him enough to ask.

    The lowly woman in this passage, on the other hand, was fully conscience of her need for forgiveness for her many sins, and she had much love for JESUS, the only ONE WHO could grant that forgiveness to her. Her love for JESUS was manifested through her behavior towards JESUS at the dinner, and her desire to change was greater than her desire to remain the same. She showed an overwhelming love for JESUS, and JESUS granted her forgiveness, because of HIS overwhelming love for her.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday April 3, 2016

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FAITH OF THE ROMAN OFFICER

(Great faith is trusting in what JESUS can do)

(Luke 7:1-10 & Matthew 8:5-13)

   In Luke 7:1-10, and Matthew 8:5-13, two authors of GOD’s Good News, Luke and the Apostle Matthew, give their respective accounts of the story of the Roman officer, a centurion (a ruler over 100 men), who sought help from JESUS for his valuable ailing servant. Matthew was an eyewitness to this event, while Luke compiled his account through very careful investigative work collected from verified eyewitnesses who were there that day.

    Through man’s faith in CHRIST, he can bring about healing to himself, and, to others whom he cares about. He must rely on GOD with an inward certainty that will manifest itself through his behavior. After JESUS had finished preaching HIS, now famous, “Sermon on the Mount”, HE and HIS disciples went back to Capernaum, the place that eventually became HIS ministry headquarters, after HE was rejected by the people in HIS hometown of Nazareth. There JESUS is met, either by the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5), or, by friends of the Roman centurion who were respected Jewish leaders in Capernaum (Luke 7:3). However, either way the officer was calling on the help of JESUS, WHOM he had heard so much about, to cure his beloved servant from his illness.

    This centurion was one of unusual character for a man of his position. First of all his treatment of his servants with love and respect was very rare. Most Romans looked at their servants as being only “living tools” that they would do away with once they were no longer fit to be used. Apparently this centurion held, at least this particular servant, to be a very valuable asset that he desired very much to, retain, not for usage, but because he loved him as a friend.

    Secondly, he was a Gentile that even the Jewish hierarchy held dear and respected. In fact he loved and respected the Jews also, even to the degree that he actually built them a synagogue in which they could worship the GOD of Heaven, WHOM he himself, also apparently worshiped. He even respected their Jewish laws and customs, including the one that forbids Jews from entering into the home of a Gentile. HE also esteemed JESUS for WHO HE was, as the SON of the living GOD, and he had absolute faith in JESUS’ ability to heal.

    Notice what he told JESUS in verse 6, “LORD, don’t trouble YOURSELF by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor, I am not even worthy to come and meet YOU. Just say the word from where YOU are, and my servant will be healed.

    This centurion understood clearly that JESUS had spiritual authority over demons and over sickness and death (v.8), and when JESUS heard his proclamation, he marveled and was truly amazed by this Gentile who had shown more faith than all of the Jews whom HE had met in the land of Israel.

    Because the Roman centurion had exhibited such unusual faith, JESUS did indeed heal his servant from where HE was. He had come to JESUS with a perfect confidence that seemed to say, “LORD JESUS, I know YOU can do this”, and his faith in CHRIST JESUS, and his belief in JESUS’ authority over all things on earth, brought healing and new life to his beloved servant.

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Larry D. Alexander

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday March 27, 2016

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HE IS RISEN!

(Our faith hinges on the risen CHRIST)

(Mark 16:1-8)

   The sins of Adam and Eve brought physical death. The Resurrection of CHRIST JESUS brought spiritual life. The Resurrection of CHRIST is the essence of the Christian Faith, and, it is the core of all the Apostle’s teachings. In the Greek, the word used for “resurrection” is “anastasis”, and in the spiritual sense, it is “a moral recovery of spiritual truth”. In the physical sense, it means, quite literally, “to stand up again”.

     JESUS’ death and resurrection are a symbol of how the giving of HIS life regenerated us, and made it possible for us, to be reconnected into a personal relationship of friendship with GOD the FATHER in Heaven. HE is the bridge that gave us direct access to GOD, for the first time since the days of Adam and Eve, and HE continues to act as that bridge even today.

    In Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-20, the respective authors of GOD, give their accounts of the Resurrection story of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. They collectively tell us that at dawn, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary, (the mother of James and Joseph), Zebedee’s wife (the mother of James and John), and Joanna went to the tomb of JESUS.

    They knew where the body of JESUS had been laid, because they had seen Joseph of Arimathea, who’s tomb was being used to bury JESUS, and Nicodemus, together, roll the stone over the door of the tomb a day earlier (Matthew 27:61, Luke 23:55, John 19:39-42). The women had returned, on this Sunday after the Sabbath was over, to anoint JESUS’ body for burial (Mark 16:1-2).

    Matthew records that there was a great earthquake associated with an angel of the LORD, who came down from Heaven and rolled away the stone from the entrance of the Sepulcher. The Roman soldiers, who were guarding the tomb, became so frightened that they fainted.

    The angel, who appeared like lightning, was garbed in clothing that was as white as snow. He proceeded to issue a proclamation to the women, that, JESUS had risen as HE had said HE would. He invited them to come into the tomb and see for themselves, and then, instructed them to go and tell HIS Disciples the good news, and to meet HIM in Galilee as pre-planned.

    As the women were hurrying along to tell the Disciples what had happened, JESUS suddenly appears before them. Upon hearing HIS greeting, the women recognized JESUS and immediately fell at HIS feet and begin to worship HIM. It is all together fitting that these women should be the first to receive the news of the risen LORD, and then, actually see HIM. They had been faithfully there, at the cross, and they had also been there when HE was laid in the tomb. Now, they were receiving their reward, by becoming the first people on earth to witness, and experience the joy, of the Resurrected CHRIST.

    In the Greek, the word used for “greetings”, or “hail” is “chairo” (khah-ee-ro), and it means to “be cheerful; be glad and rejoice”. In Matthew 28:6-9, we see “the three great imperatives that govern the Christian Faith”. First we see the women being urged to “BELIEVE”, because in verse 6, we see the angel invites them to “see the empty tomb”.

    Secondly, they are instructed by the angel to “SHARE” the good news. In verse 7, the angel tells them to “go quickly and tell”. And thirdly, in verse 9, the first words, JESUS says to them is, “All Hail”, in the Greek “chairo”, which means, “REJOICE”.

    Any person, who has met and accepted CHRIST JESUS, will be able to live forever in the joy of HIS presence. They will be able to come to rest in the knowledge that, if they choose to believe on HIM, nothing can separate them from HIS saving Grace, and, eternal life in Heaven.

    No man can give you that kind of religion. For, it is something that only GOD can do. Christianity is the only true religion, because it is the only religion that is a product of GOD’s mind. Through the Birth, Ministry, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, GOD is saying to us, that HE loves us, with an everlasting love that can withstand all the suffering that this world has to offer. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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PETER’S DENIAL OF JESUS

(Struggling with faith)

(Mark 14:27-31 & 66-72)

   H.G. Welles once wrote, “A man can be a bad musician, and yet, be passionately in love with music”. In Mark chapter 14, verses 26-31, JESUS foretells of an event that was, quite literally, hours away from realization. There HE tells of a time, very shortly, when all of HIS closest disciples would desert HIM and run away in fear of man. Indeed the Scripture was about to be fulfilled that said, “GOD will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered”.

    Here in this passage JESUS discloses to HIS closest followers, that they will all desert HIM and flee, after HIS betrayal by Judas Iscariot, and HIS arrest by the Jewish hierarchy in Jerusalem. However, JESUS offers them hope as HE also tells them that HE will be raised from the dead by GOD the FATHER three days later, and that, HE would then go ahead of them, and meet them in Galilee. The Apostle Peter strongly rebuked JESUS’ statements to them and insisted quite vehemently that, “Not even if I have to die with you! I will never deny you!”  

    However, sometimes when a man says, “That’s the one thing that I will never do”, that’s the very thing he needs to constantly guard against doing. Satan often attacks a person at a point where they are most sure of themselves, because he knows that it is there, where they are most likely to be unprepared.

    The shame of failure and disloyalty to a friend or loved one is not all together a loss in that, it can give one a sense of sympathy and understanding that, otherwise, they may have never attained. “Do you love ME?” is what JESUS said to Peter, three times in John 21, and I guess, the only way that any of us can ever really prove our love for JESUS is by loving others. History now tells us that eventually, eleven of JESUS’ disciples really did die a horrible death for HIS sake. Only the Apostle John lived to a ripe old age and died a natural death. However, he was a man who spent his entire life showing the world how to live the examples of CHRIST.

     In John’s Gospel account he writes, that, after JESUS allowed the soldiers to arrest HIM, Peter and one of the other disciples followed them back into the city. John was the disciple who was known by the high priest, and thereby, he had access to the high priest’s courtyard. He was also able to gain permission for Peter’s entrance into the courtyard, from the lady who kept the door. However, the lady recognized Peter also as one of JESUS’ disciples, and when she inquired this of him, for the first time, he denied that he even knew JESUS.

   In mark 14:66-72 it is written that Peter was standing below the courtyard when this lady recognized him while he was warming himself at the fire. When she asked him if he was one of those who followed JESUS he told her, “I don’t know what you are talking about”, and as he spoke, he heard the rooster crow the first time. When the servant girl began telling the others, who were standing around the fire with Peter, that, he was definitely one of them with JESUS, Peter denied her allegations once again.

    Later on some of the other bystanders said to Peter, “Surely you must be one of them because you’re also from Galilee”. And then, for the third and final time, Peter denied knowing JESUS, by stating vehemently, “I swear by GOD, I don’t know this man you’re talking about”, and immediately after he spoke, he heard the sound of the rooster’s crow for a second time. Suddenly JESUS’ words flashed through his mind, and he broke down and cried like a baby.

    Here we see a very human, but somewhat complicated side of Peter. Only moments earlier he had been this brave, defiant defender of JESUS’, while in the garden of Gethsemane. Now, we see him cowering down under the pressure of the reality of what courage a man has to have in order to follow in the footsteps of CHRIST.

    Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have often faced martyrdom bravely, but there are perhaps even more times when they’ve buckled down under at the threat of death. Ironically, John, the other disciple didn’t seem to have a problem with being known as a follower of CHRIST. He was well known by the lady at the door, and the high priest, yet, he did not try to hide, or play the role of a secret Christian, but rather, he entered boldly into the temple to be near JESUS.

    It is said that “love” is the greatest privilege in the world, and yet, it brings with it, the greatest responsibility. For Peter, “love” brought a cross, and he truly did die for the LORD. In fact, Jewish tradition tells us that he requested to be hung upside down, because he felt himself to be unworthy to even die in the exact same manner as CHRIST. 

     And so, whenever we are struggling with our faith, we must remember the comeback from failure that Peter made. His love for JESUS eventually overcame his fear of man, and, of satan, and he went on to personify the concept of “the Rock” upon which JESUS CHRIST said HE would build HIS Church, and as JESUS promised, “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it”.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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THE DANGERS OF PROSPERITY

(How bad do we want Salvation?)

(Mark 10:17-31)

   No one ever recognized the perils of prosperity and the desire for material things as clearly as JESUS did. Material things are what attach a person’s heart to this world. The more material things we gain, the more interest we seem to have in the world, and because of that interest, we find it more and more difficult to ever, even momentarily contemplate leaving this material world behind. In fact, it is those things that people have to leave behind that makes it most difficult for them to accept the inevitability of death.

    It is said, that, out of a hundred people that can stand “adversity”, only one of that hundred can stand “prosperity”. A person is judged by two standards when it comes to prosperity; one, is how they came about it, and the other, is how they choose to use it. Will we use it as if they have undisputed possession of it? Or, will we remember that we hold it in stewardship to GOD?

    With that being said, the question of this life ultimately becomes, “How bad do we want Salvation?” Do we want it bad enough to relinquish the people and things of this world? The rich young ruler here in Mark chapter 10, verses 17-31, as well as many of us, answer that question, in effect, when we say through our behavior, that, “I want it, but I don’t think I want it as much as all that”.

    It’s all about “Salvation”, and here in this passage JESUS sums up the whole doctrine of Salvation in a nutshell, when he says in effect, that, “if a person is to depend upon their own efforts, to achieve salvation, then, it is impossible for anyone. Salvation is a gift from GOD, and with GOD, all things are possible. If a person relies upon their own efforts, possessions, or riches, they can never be “saved”. However, if they rely upon the life giving power, and redeeming, “agape love” of CHRIST JESUS, they can enter, “for free”, into the kingdom of Heaven.

    That’s the thought that JESUS sought to provoke here in this passage, and that’s the very same thought that Paul, John, and all the New Testament writers wrote about, in all of their biblical literary efforts. And that thought still lingers in the minds of mature Christians today, because it goes to the very core, of the ideology of the Christian Faith.

    JESUS states in this passage that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples were astounded when they heard JESUS’ statement. In those days, and even now, a lot of people associate riches as being a sign of how blessed a person is, and, that that person must be walking closer with GOD, especially those rich individuals who are also heavy church goers.

    However, JESUS sought to put an end to that kind of foolish thinking that day, as HE and HIS disciples had stopped briefly, just east of the Jordan River, while making the long trip back to Jerusalem for the final time. Here JESUS makes it crystal clear that Salvation is not ours to earn, but rather, it is GOD’s to give away, and we are more likely to accept that gift, if we don’t lose our hearts, to the things of this world.

    A person’s heart can only be given to GOD when they manage to tear it away from this world. And unless we give our hearts to GOD, we can never accept HIS gift of Salvation. For, we must come to the end of ourselves, where JESUS is standing and waiting, before we can accept anything that HE has to offer us.

    Isn’t it funny how that works? “We have to “give” to “receive”, and we must first surrender, in order to obtain the victorious life that the vicarious sacrifice of CHRIST JESUS earned for us, over the world. What a divine concept that is. And guess WHO thought of it first. GOD!

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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POWERFUL FAITH

(JESUS can help us overcome our unbelief)

(Mark 9:14-29)

   It was A. Victor Murry who wrote, “It doesn’t matter how high a man’s profession may be, it is by his actions that people judge him, and in judging him, they also judge his mentor”. In Mark chapter 9, verses 14-18, John Mark gives us an account of an argument involving the Scribes and some of JESUS’ disciples, as the Scribes take advantage of the disciple’s inability to cast out a Demon from a little boy. The Scribes, no doubt, were seeking to use this incident to try and deflect the ineptitude of JESUS’ Disciples, onto JESUS HIMSELF, as their leader.

    Here we see that, no sooner than JESUS, Peter, James, and John had come down from Mt. Hermon following JESUS’, now famous, Transfiguration, that they encounter this embarrassing controversy brewing between the Disciples and the Scribes. Here we get an opportunity to see how JESUS is not only ready to face HIS OWN impending death on the cross, but HE also shows us how HE remained ready to tackle the everyday problems of the World, that lay all along HIS journey, before, HE even got to the cross. We see here also, that, JESUS possessed a characteristic that allowed HIM to be able to give 100% of HIMSELF to each individual that HE happened to come in contact with.

    In this passage of the book of Mark (Vs. 19-29), we see just how JESUS chose to handle this heated debate. First, HE tells them in verse 19 to “Bring the boy unto me”. Then, JESUS states to the boy’s father, the condition, upon which all miracles must hinge. HE tells him in verse 23 that, “To him that believes, all things, are possible”.   

    In the Greek, the word used for faith is “pistis”, and it means to “rely upon with an “inward certainty”, and to “assent” to evidence of authority”. We see here that these people, including the Disciples, had not yet began to rely upon JESUS, with an inward certainty, and had not yet assented to all the evidence they had seen of JESUS’ authority from Heaven.

    Nevertheless, they brought the boy to JESUS, and when the evil spirit saw HIM, it threw the boy into a violent convulsion and made him fall to the ground writhing and foaming at the mouth. When JESUS asked the boy’s father how long this had been happening, the father said that it had been going on since he was a very small child. The demon often made the boy fall into water and fire, trying to kill him.

      We see throughout New Testament Scripture that JESUS never healed or removed demons from anyone who didn’t show that wanted to be made whole, through their faith. And in the case of children who had not yet reached an “age of accountability”, their parents always provided the “saving faith” that was needed to cure them. In verse the father provided the small measure of faith in JESUS that was needed to cure his son, when he told JESUS, “I do believe, but help me not to doubt”.

    And so we see that, based on that small measure of faith that was exhibited by the father, JESUS chose to go ahead and deal with the situation of healing the child right away, and thereby, HE removed all doubt that the boy’s father may have had about HIM, probably because of the ineptitude of HIS disciples, who had failed him earlier. JESUS then commanded the “spirit of deafness and muteness” to come out of the child and never return, and the evil spirit obeyed, even though he left the lad kicking and screaming.

    The boy lay motionless for a moment and even appeared to be dead, and many in the crowd even expressed as much openly. But JESUS took the boy by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he then stood under his own power. Afterwards when JESUS was alone with HIS disciples they asked HIM why couldn’t they cast out the demon that possessed the boy most of his young life. JESUS replied, this kind of exorcism can only be accomplished through prayer.

    Sometimes, as in the case of the boy’s father, we tend to get less than we expect from professed Christians in the Church, or from pastors and other leaders in the Church. However, when we call on CHRIST JESUS, WHO is the MASTER of the True Church, HE will never disappoint us, and will always upgrade our position and condition under GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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