83. Healing a Tormented Boy

Later a crowd gathered around the disciples as scribes were questioning them. When everyone saw Jesus, they excitedly ran to him and greeted him. He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”

One of the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who has a mute spirit that causes seizures; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”

He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”

They brought him to Jesus, and when he saw him, the spirit convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.

He asked his father, “How long has it been since this began?”

He said, “From childhood. Often it has cast him into fire or water, to destroy him. If you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help.”

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

The father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”

 

When Jesus saw that a crowd was gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”

Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up.

The disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Reflection

Prayer and fasting are prerequisites to the exercise of healing power; the more we are connected to God, the easier it is for God’s healing power to flow through us. Do you believe God’s healing power can flow through you? What are you doing to deepen your connection with God? 

Prayer: Draw me closer to you, Lord, and let the healing power of your love flow through me.