December 21, 2025
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Advent 2025 – Day 21 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.19 through 4.24 (pages 84-88)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
These three apostles just witnessed probably the most incredible scene they would ever see in their lifetime, and as they’re coming down the mountain, they witnessed the ugliness of spiritual warfare. We would also be overcome by something like Demon possession before us, but this should’ve been minimal for the apostles to see as Jesus was right there with them to take them through safely. We should never be afraid to confront evil or suffering, no matter how ugly horrible. Jesus goes with us always. It is interesting why the apostles couldn’t cast out this demon they cast out many before. I can only think that their faith was faltering as they were going through life and their eyes had been looking into the left and the right instead of to Jesus and the power that only comes from Him. I find it interesting that Jesus asked this man how long the boy had been sick like this, Jesus already knew the answer but what a great lesson for the apostles to understand that many situations could only be resolved through prayer. For us prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our lives. Prayer switches to complete dependence on God as we just do the asking to humbly have God’s power interceding as we get out of his way. Is there any substitute for prayer when we’re in circumstances that seem impossible??
The apostles arguing about who would be the greatest, and when questioned by Jesus, they didn’t answer, cause they were so embarrassed about their conversation. Any of these apostles could be substituted for another person if that was God‘s will and it is the same for us. Jesus explains to them that it’s not about them anymore, but it’s about serving others for the rest of their lives. Children being treated as second rate citizens no more as Jesus shows how much He loves little children, and to have the faith of a little child. It is sad when adults have been chained and strangled by religion and other false teachings, while a child is taught the truth and there’s nothing in their minds in their hearts that fights with them, to just believe. And to end this chapter only think of when Jesus said when you visit someone in prison or when you cloth someone, when you give someone something to eat or drink, it’s just as you have done this for me to serve others that’s where true joy comes from in this life
Advent 2025 – Day 21
In Mark 9 after Jesus forced the spirit out of the boy, I have always wondered what Jesus meant when he answered the disciples after they questioned why they could not force out the spirit. “Only prayer can drive this kind out,” answered Jesus; “nothing else can.” Any insight from anyone?
Advent days 17 and 18
How often are we like this father that asks Jesus “if” He can help? Often we pray, and we limit God in those prayers and wonder if He can help, of course He can help He can do all things. It’s just a matter of His will and His timing and we must trust those things even when the outcome is not what we hope for. We have to have faith like children, children are innocent they don’t question or wonder why. They listen and obey, trusting that their parent’s thoughts are higher, and that everything they say is for their benefit. This is the kind of humility God is looking for in us. Unconditional love and trust in Him knowing He wants what is best for us. And just like a parent, he would go to the end of the Earth for us. He would leave the 99 to bring back the one sheep.
So Jesus drives out an evil Spirt that the disciples cannot. He shows compassion in the situation to find out how long this young man has been abused by this demon. It just goes to show the nature of satan and his minions: they are bent on our destruction. And it is curious that Jesus says prayer is needed here. Now some manuscripts say prayer and fasting. But what Jesus is saying is that spiritual power needs to be met with spiritual power. SO rather than the disciples just telling the demon to leave, they would need to pray to God for His work in it. Does that help, Sean? And it is unfortunate that the disciples just don’t get what is going to happen to Jesus and are afraid to ask. It is always appropriate to ask what people mean or why they have done what they have done, particularly if you are affected by what will happen. And what a good picture a child is for the faith and humility that comes from them. Trusting obedience is often found as well which is why Jesus says we must become like a child. But because of that trust, how awful it is when someone misuses that or causes a child to sin….or maybe even a child being sinned against. Jesus shows his disfavor over ones such as that. And even though the people who produce opportunities to sin are worse off than those that just commit sin, Jesus calls us all to take sin seriously and uses radical hyperbole as to things we should do to address it, not that we should or would do what He says, but it gives us a picture of how serious overcoming sin is and it will take concentrated attention and sacrifice to defeat it. And human relationships are messy and fraught with misunderstanding and offense. How great that Jesus provides this progression of addressing something that can’t be addressed by just love. And directing us to get others involved if things can’t be resolved between two people. And even bringing the authority of the church in when someone has been confronted by the truth but refuses to listen. There will be some like that. Let’s not be those kind of people.
Yes. Thank you, Pastor!
I love the thought of children having angels in heaven always before the Father. There is much abuse of children that people think is minimal, but the Father sees, the Father knows.