Jesus is here.

This is the good news.

“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17 v 14-20)

There are so many different people in this encounter.

Peter, James and John are coming down the mountain with Jesus. Coming down the mountain is as important as going up. Do life. Be real. It isn’t just about mountain top wow experiences, it is about getting down on the dusty floor with children who are suffering. Is this where you are today?

The other disciples are in a dilemma. Something has gone wrong. “They could not”. For the first time we have it recorded that the disciples had failed to carry out the works of Christ. Do you feel disqualified because you have failed?

The crowd were watching. Bemused and amused at the kingdom upset! It seems every week the media promote the church as being deceived, liars, perverts, not relevant, prejudiced etc. All the time the world looks on without involving itself. Are you in the middle of this today?

A father in the crowd calls out similar to how a Father called out in the cloud moments before. “This is my son.” However his son is not the same. He is broken. Every father wants his son to be fixed. He could fix his toys but he cannot fix him. Is there someone you cannot fix today?

The son, only a boy, cannot understand what is wrong with him. He seems out of control at times. He doesn’t mean to do what he does but something takes hold and makes him embarrassed. The other children make fun of him. He is ashamed. Are you struggling today?

So which person are you?

Here is the good news. Jesus is here.