Jesus rebukes the impure spirit
Luke 9:37-45
Key verse 42b “But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.”
Introduction
In this passage Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration and confronts the work of the devil through a boy who was possessed by an evil spirit. In dealing with the boy, Jesus revealed his power to drive out demons. In helping his disciples, Jesus planted the truth which was God’s wisdom from above. We are all involved in a spiritual battle. We are fighting spiritual battles on our campuses, in our workplaces, even in our homes or common life houses. It is essential to learn how to have faith in Jesus and to base our faith on Jesus' words. Then we can win our spiritual battles and have real victory, both personally and as a community.
Read verses 37-40. What kind of problem did a man in the crowd bring to Jesus as Jesus came down from the mountain? (37, 38) How was the boy’s condition? (39) What happened when he brought the boy to the disciples? (40) Why do you think they were not able to heal him?
1-1, Read verses 37-40.
37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
1-2, What kind of problem did a man in the crowd bring to Jesus as Jesus came down from the mountain? (37, 38)
The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.
1-3, How was the boy’s condition? (39)
A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.
1-4, What happened when he brought the boy to the disciples? (40)
“ I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
1-5, Why do you think they were not able to heal him?
In the past, when Jesus sent them out for fieldwork training, the disciples had driven out many demons.
Success came when they listened to Jesus very carefully and obeyed his words. But since then, they had become rebellious toward Jesus’ teaching about his suffering and death.
They were struggling with doubt and fear. Then, when they tried to drive out the demon, they failed.
The father, and the crowd, were disappointed with the disciples.
Read verse 41. How did Jesus rebuke them? What does it mean by unbelieving and perverse generation? What do you think Jesus meant by “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you”?
2-1, Read verse 41.
41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
2-2, How did Jesus rebuke them?
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?”
2-3, What does it mean by unbelieving and perverse generation?
To some, unbelief does not seem like a serious sin. While they regard murder or rape as serious sins, many think lightly of unbelief.
To some, believing or not believing in God is merely a personal decision; they think that believing or not believing are both morally valid options.
But one person’s decision not to believe in God can have serious consequences for a whole society or a whole nation, or even a whole world.
The Bible teaches that unbelief is the root of sin and the root cause of all the wickedness that perverts God’s world.
Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Men know that God exists. Creation gives us evidence of God’s eternal power and divine nature.
Men have no excuse for not believing in God. Men deliberately suppress the truth that God exists in order to avoid their responsibility to him. This is unbelief.
Jesus indicted the generation for its unbelief, and held the entire generation responsible for the perverse scene before him.
The father was responsible. Perhaps he had been negligent in teaching his son the word of God, like many parents in our time.
Some parents are diligent in teaching their children math, science, languages, music, sports and how to make money.
At the same time, they ignore spiritual education with the word of God.
When parents do not believe in God from their hearts and make a believing atmosphere in their homes, their children easily become unbelieving.
This is not the children’s fault; it is the parents’ responsibility and can result in the work of demons in kids exposed to internet, TV, Youtube, Social medias or etc.
The religious leaders were also responsible. They should have been deeply concerned about the spiritual development of children in their nation.
But many were too busy with political concerns, so they ignored children with problems.
There must have been several religious leaders who knew this boy and his father personally.
But they refused to take any responsibility, saying, “That’s his problem.”
In America, we have suffered in an unbelieving atmosphere for the last forty years.
In 1963, the Supreme Court of the United States decided to forbid Bible reading and prayer in public schools.
Before 1963, prayer and Bible reading were common in our schools and there was a “believing atmosphere.”
Since the Supreme Court forbade public acknowledgment of God in our schools, an “unbelieving atmosphere” has developed.
Now, to our tragic regret, the discipline problems in our schools include assault and battery, sexual immorality, organized drug running, murder and so on.
From God’s point of view, all these tragic events are the result of the unbelief of this generation in America.
This unbelief grieves Jesus most. This unbelief makes Jesus lament, “O unbelieving generation....” “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) is another example.
It is important to realize our national sin of unbelief and to take responsibility for it before God.
Drug legalization could be based on unbelief that nothing worked to stop the people from doing the drugs.
We must fight against our national sin of unbelief that is at the root of rampant demon possession and all the other tragedies that have befallen us.
We must pray that God may make America a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
We cannot ignore the spiritual problems of the world; this is irresponsible, and a kind of unbelief. Jesus does not want to stay among the unbelieving.
At this moment, let’s repent of our unbelief and ask God to use us as godly parents, spiritual leaders, and good stewards/soldiers of God’s world.
Let us sing a Hymn song, “Onward Christian Soldiers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG78M7g9wRo
Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng Blend with ours your voices in a triumph song Christ, the Royal Master, leads against the foe Forward into battle, see His banners go, oh Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane But the cross of Jesus constant will remain Marching as to war (Marching as to war) Oh, we're marching as to war (Marching as to war) Oh, we're marching as to war Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng Blend with ours your voices in a triumph song Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before
2-4, What do you think Jesus meant by “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you”?
Here we learn that Jesus rebukes our unbelief in order to plant faith in our hearts.
Jesus pointed out that disease or demon were not the mere problems. Rather not having faith in Jesus is the very problem.
“How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” It helps us to develop our personal faith and responsibility.
Jesus also said, “Bring your son to me.” Though the entire generation was unbelieving, and demon activity was furious, Jesus was not daunted at all.
Though there seemed to be no one who would take responsibility, and no one who could help, there was one: Jesus.
Jesus said, “Bring your son to me.” Jesus was willing to help, and Jesus was able to help. Jesus invited the father to bring his son to him.
Bringing our sons to Jesus means to bring their names before God in prayer.
It also means to share the word of God with them so that they can meet Jesus personally.
Let’s bring all of America’s sons to Jesus in prayer. Whatever our spiritual problem may be, let’s bring it to Jesus in prayer.
Read verses 42-45. What did the demon do to the boy while he is coming? (42a) How did Jesus heal the boy? (42b) What is their response? (43a) What then did Jesus say to his disciples? (43b, 44) How did they respond? (45)
3-1, Read verses 42-45.
42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
3-2, What did the demon do to the boy while he is coming? (42a)
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion.
The father responded to Jesus’ invitation. He began to bring his son to Jesus. However, the demon did not simply surrender.
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. It seemed that coming to Jesus was making the boy worse.
However, this was the devil’s deception.
3-3, How did Jesus heal the boy? (42b)
But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
Jesus took immediate action. Jesus rebuked the evil spirit. Jesus is God who has authority over any demon.
The demon had no choice but to depart from the boy. Then Jesus touched the boy with his healing hand.
Jesus healed his mind and soul, so that he could think clean and healthy thoughts, and reason properly.
Jesus healed his heart and restored his emotional stability. Jesus healed the wounds of his body and made him strong and restored his handsomeness.
Then Jesus gave him back to his father, renewing their love relationship.
The boy must have thanked Jesus with all his heart, and he must have thanked his father, too. Jesus fully restores anyone who comes to him from all the devil’s works.
3-4, What is their response? (43a)
43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
When people saw what had happened, they were amazed at the greatness of God. They were in awe of God’s power and his love and compassion.
In this way, Jesus restored God’s reign over people in an unbelieving generation and they tasted the kingdom of God.
Jesus can drive out any demon and bring the reign of God to any community.
All we must do is repent of our unbelief and invite Jesus in with faith.
3-5, What then did Jesus say to his disciples? (43b, 44)
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
Why did Jesus say this, disturbing their joyful mood?
It is clear that Jesus had a sense of urgency about his teaching. However, Jesus knew that the disciples would not like what he had to say.
They had responded poorly the last time he spoke of his suffering and death.
Then Jesus gave them straight truth.
Jesus welcomes all kinds of weak people and weary people and gives us rest for our souls. But Jesus is an uncompromising teacher of truth to his disciples.
Jesus was like a man cutting down a big tree. It would not fall with one stroke of the ax, but needed many strokes.
Jesus was going to keep telling the truth until the disciples accepted it.
Whether they liked it or not, whether they felt good about it or not, Jesus gave them this message.
For it is the only way of salvation that God has given to mankind.
We must listen to Jesus’ words. Jesus’ words are the absolute truth of God which defeat the devil’s work in our hearts.
Jesus’ words tell us something important about him. Jesus knew who he was. Jesus calls himself, “The Son of Man.”
Daniel 7:13-14 read,
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
This refers to the one who receives sovereign power and glory from the Father.
He reigns over the world, and is worshiped by people of every tribe and nation.
Jesus was this Son of Man, as was confirmed on the Mount of Transfiguration.
“Delivered” means “betrayed.” Jesus fully embraced his coming betrayal.
Betrayal may be the most painful thing a human being can endure. Yet he faced this fact with resolve and determination.
It was Jesus’ obedience to God’s will, as foretold by the Scriptures.
The actual fulfillment came when Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who then sold Jesus to the religious leaders for 30 silver coins.
Though it was a wicked act, prompted by Satan, it was also God’s way of destroying Satan.
Fighting the spiritual battle was not just about rebuking evil spirits with divine authority.
It also required enduring betrayal and finally giving his life on the cross as a ransom for our sins.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. And without forgiveness of sins, there is no way to ransom mankind from the clutches of the devil.
To save the boy he had just healed, and all who would trust in him, Jesus had to go the way of betrayal and the cross.
Isaiah said, “Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days...” (Isa 53:10a).
3-6, How did they respond? (45)
45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
This is not a matter of human ability understanding the message. A man cannot see things of God by himself; it is done only through God-given gift.
Right now it was hidden from the disciples. In God’s time he would reveal the full glory to them.
In his epistle Peter recalled the time he saw Jesus’ glory on the Transfiguration mountain. But he wrote to help the suffering Christians to see Jesus’ glory.
He encouraged them to suffer in order to learn Jesus’ glory.
For now Peter couldn’t grasp it, and was even afraid to ask Jesus about it.
But when he listened carefully to the gospel, he saw the glory of God there and testified to it. It became the greatness for him even as he suffered in this world.
1 Peter 1:6-7 read,
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Just as Jesus wants his disciples to accept his words with faith, Jesus wants us to accept his teachings even when they don’t make sense at the moment.
Jesus wants us to accept his teachings, even when he tells us of painful and difficult things.
Conclusion
In this passage we have learned that Jesus fought a spiritual battle with the devil and won the victory. We also learn how to share his victory. We must repent our unbelief and put our trust in Jesus. We must listen to Jesus’ teachings even when we don’t fully understand what they mean, or when they sound hard. We must build our faith on the truth of Jesus’ words. Then we can go through sufferings without fear, in the assurance of final victory. May God bless you with great victory in your spiritual struggle as you trust and obey Jesus in this generation.
One word: Bring your son here
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