Brief comment (I guess I always say that and they turn into long comments!) on Luke 9. We see that Jesus only allowed three disciples to witness his transfiguration experience. However, as you can imagine the other disciples probably weren't happy to be left out. And while Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for His coming death, they are actually are bickering about "WHO is to the be greatest." So when someone comes to them for help casting our a devil, they can't do it... They've been focusing on self! (How often we error in the same way. We come to spiritual conflict engrossed in our own grievances rather than focusing on Christ and no wonder we get hit and knocked down by the enemy.)
So Jesus sets a child among them... "He that is least among you all shall be greatest!" He says. Basically, self must be emptied if you want to be great...
Inspiration shares the following:
"The words of Christ pointing to His death had brought sadness and doubt. And the selection of the three disciples to accompany Jesus to the mountain had excited the jealousy of the nine. Instead of strengthening their faith by prayer and meditation on the words of Christ, they had been dwelling on their discouragements and personal grievances. In this state of darkness they had undertaken the conflict with Satan.
In order to succeed in such a conflict they must come to the work in a different spirit. Their faith must be strengthened by fervent prayer and fasting, and humiliation of heart. They must be emptied of self, and be filled with the Spirit and power of God. Earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith—faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to His work—can alone avail to bring men the Holy Spirit’s aid in the battle against principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits in high places.
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,” said Jesus, “ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove.” Though the grain of mustard seed is so small, it contains that same mysterious life principle which produces growth in the loftiest tree. When the mustard seed is cast into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold upon God’s word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen, and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. “Nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Desire of Ages, p. 431)That's encouragement for my heart today. Personally... although it's easy to go through the motions and do what's right or appear to be doing what's right, in my heart I think I've been like the disciples, focusing too much on my personal grievances the last few days (the trials and challenges of life) rather than looking with the eye of faith on Christ. Oh how we need to turn our eyes on Christ and have faith!
Tomorrow's Reading: Neh. 13 and Luke 10
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