Luke 9:37-43 (NRSV)
Read Luke 9:37-43 on biblegateway.com
Verse 37On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Verse 38Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Verse 39Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. Verse 40I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Verse 41Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." Verse 42While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
Verse 43And all were astounded at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples,
Devotion
Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child.
There seems to be a connection between God’s announcement, "This is my Son...," on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the man’s plea to Jesus, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, he is my only child.” Both come from fathers who love their sons.
I am a father who loves his children. Like any loving parent, I suffer with my son or daughter when he or she is sick or injured; such is the nature of love. I feel the agony of this father as he watched the suffering of his son. Perhaps, this helps me to better understand the agony of the Heavenly Father as his Son suffered and died.
I believe that our Heavenly Father suffers with all of his hurting children; such is the nature of love.
Prayer
Lord, you hold all who suffer in your loving arms. Keep us from causing pain to your children. Give us compassion and healing. Amen.