The title for this afternoon’s study is taken from one of the more humiliating experiences of the disciples of Christ, as they were faced with a situation which could have greatly honored God, but which instead caused the kingdom of God major embarrassment. The whole situation began to unfold when a demon possessed boy was brought to the disciples, so that they could cast the evil spirit out. At this time, Christ was nowhere around, for He was descending from the mount of transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, and so, a multitude had gathered around the apostles to witness firsthand a miraculous exorcism, the likes of which had hitherto been performed by the disciples on several previous occasions.
The demon-possessed boy in this instance had been tormented from his childhood, and it was in utter desperation that his father had sought the help of Christ. However, not finding Jesus anywhere, the father turned to His disciples, who had been left at the foot of the mountain, and who had previously been given power over unclean spirits. Thus, in this situation, the disciples were to stand in Christ stead, doing what He would do in such a case.
But instead of a resounding victory for the kingdom of God, a signal defeat ensued, for after raising their hands towards heaven, and invoking the name of Christ in their behalf, the devils taunted the efforts of the apostles, and threw the child violently on the ground, in a show of utter disregard for the disciples who could not account for their sudden loss of Holy Ghost power. This defeat then caused many of the Jews, together with the scribes and Pharisees, who were always looking for a valid excuse to discredit the works and claims of Christ, to triumph for the moment, by reinforcing their argument that Christ’s claims to work miracles was a big fraud, and here before their faces was the undeniable evidence they long sought. Let’s read:
Mark 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
Not only had the cause of Christ suffered reproach as a result of this defeat, but the effect of the loss served the purpose of destabilizing the man’s faith, so that valid questions started to emerge in his, and everyone else’s mind concerning the truthfulness of Christ’s claims. And not only this, but being a public gathering, opportunity was now given for the rumor mill to start churning, and churn it did. Let’s read:
[The Desire Of Ages pp. 427] Authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, had been conferred on the disciples when Jesus sent out the twelve to preach through Galilee. As they went forth strong in faith, the evil spirits had obeyed their word. Now in the name of Christ they commanded the torturing spirit to leave his victim; but the demon only mocked them by a fresh display of his power. The disciples, unable to account for their defeat, felt that they were bringing dishonor upon themselves and their Master. And in the crowd there were scribes who made the most of this opportunity to humiliate them.
Pressing around the disciples, they plied them with questions, seeking to prove that they and their Master were deceivers. Here, the rabbis triumphantly declared, was an evil spirit that neither the disciples nor Christ Himself could conquer. The people were inclined to side with the scribes, and a feeling of contempt and scorn pervaded the crowd.
After Christ had arrived on the scene, and after evaluating the situation, He then answered the father’s plea for help, and with His word of power, drove the demons into never land, and thus the day was saved by the power of Christ alone. But then a lingering, and disturbing question still yet remained unanswered in the minds of the disciples… “Why could we not cast him out?” And this one question continued to bother them, until they sought for the answers directly from Christ, albeit in a private setting, because as fellow believers, we are never to lick our wounds in public view. And to the haunting question Christ gave this reply, stating that it was unbelief on their part which prevented them from expelling the demon, and thus secured for satan a moment of triumph.
In fact, the evil spirit was able to get a restraining order against the disciples, based solely on their unbelief, and thus their sacred missionary work, which should have been advancing continually, was brought to a temporary halt, all through unbelief. It is therefore of the utmost importance that we investigate closely, what unbelief consisted of on this occasion, for there are very precious lessons to be learned and applied, and also there are serious pitfalls to avoid, if we do not desire to have a repeat of the same experience. The problem of unbelief in this instance consisted of “Position”, an age-old problem which still persists even in our day.
It all started when James and John, together with their mother, went privately to Jesus and requested that they be president and vice president in the new kingdom. Thus, in seeking for the highest place, they manifested that disposition which has been the cause of most controversies. After the other ten disciples got wind of the secret request, they too became indignant, for they could not believe the brazen nature of the two to make such a request.
In addition to this, there were other more highly educated men amongst the twelve who could be much more adept at leadership and administration, therefore, for these two uneducated fishermen to presume to ask for the highest place in the kingdom savored of audacity to the highest degree. And to add insult to injury, the clandestine way in which the request was made, behind the others’ backs, caused strife and alienation which threatened their unity.
The cause of very many problems in governments, conferences, churches, and households, is that of “Position”. Indeed, the great controversy in which we are all involved today, and which has persisted for almost six thousand years began in heaven over the issue of “Position”. Let’s read:
Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
[The Desire Of Ages pp. 643>644] There was “a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” This contention, carried on in the presence of Christ, grieved and wounded Him. The disciples clung to their favorite idea that Christ would assert His power, and take His position on the throne of David. And in heart each still longed for the highest place in the kingdom. They had placed their own estimate upon themselves and upon one another, and, instead of regarding their brethren as more worthy, they had placed themselves first.
The request of James and John to sit on the right and left of Christ's throne had excited the indignation of the others. That the two brothers should presume to ask for the highest position so stirred the ten that alienation threatened. They felt that they were misjudged, that their fidelity and talents were not appreciated.
It was in this frame of mind that the disciples had attempted to cast out evil spirits, and they got a rude awakening, when they realized that the Holy Ghost does not operate on that wavelength. Satan understands this, hence the reason why he always insinuates himself under one guise or another, to bring in the spirit of alienation, for he knows all too well that successful missionary endeavors cease to exist wherever disunity is harbored for any reason, whether valid, or invalid.
This is certainly not what Christ had intended when He called together His disciples from all walks of life, just as He does today. We observe with interest that His call covers the entire spectrum of human activities, and professions, ranging from the quite uneducated, to the more intellectual, from the accountant to the more sophisticated doctor. All of these men would obviously have different tastes, mannerisms, cultures, and deportments, as well as very serious flaws in their characters. What we can describe as quite a motley crew, yet they were to dwell together in unity under the umbrella of Christ and His righteousness. Let’s read:
[The Desire Of Ages pp. 295>296] All the disciples had serious faults when Jesus called them to His service. Even John, who came into closest association with the meek and lowly One, was not himself naturally meek and yielding. He and his brother were called “the sons of thunder.” While they were with Jesus, any slight shown to Him aroused their indignation and combativeness. Evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. He was proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God.
But day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. The Savior did not withdraw from them because of their weakness and errors. They continued to the end to share His trials and to learn the lessons of His life. By beholding Christ, they became transformed in character.
The apostles differed widely in habits and disposition. There were the publican, Levi-Matthew, and the fiery zealot Simon, the uncompromising hater of the authority of Rome; the generous, impulsive Peter, and the mean-spirited Judas; Thomas, truehearted, yet timid and fearful, Philip, slow of heart, and inclined to doubt, and the ambitious, outspoken sons of Zebedee, with their brethren. These were brought together, with their different faults, all with inherited and cultivated tendencies to evil; but in and through Christ they were to dwell in the family of God, learning to become one in faith, in doctrine, in spirit.
They would have their tests, their grievances, their differences of opinion; but while Christ was abiding in the heart, there could be no dissension. His love would lead to love for one another; the lessons of the Master would lead to the harmonizing of all differences, bringing the disciples into unity, till they would be of one mind and one judgment. Christ is the great center, and they would approach one another just in proportion as they approached the center.
Unity amongst fellow believers is of the most critical importance, for it determines whether or not the world will believe the message of truth Christ has given us, to give others. In other words, alienation amongst brethren effectively brings to a halt any effective evangelistic outreach, and according to Jesus’ own words, it certainly prevents the world from believing. Hence the reason why we must understand the dark arts of the adversary of souls who continuously seeks to introduce the spirit of disunity and alienation, for both valid and invalid reasons. Let’s read:
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
2nd Corinthians 2: 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[The Great Controversy pp. 395>396] The prince of evil was losing his subjects; and in order to bring reproach upon the cause of God, he sought to deceive some who professed the faith, and to drive them to extremes. Then his agents stood ready to seize upon every error, every failure, every unbecoming act, and hold it up before the people in the most exaggerated light, to render Adventists and their faith odious. Satan is “the accuser of the brethren,” and it is his spirit that inspires men to watch for the errors and defects of the Lord's people, and to hold them up to notice, while their good deeds are passed by without a mention.
He is always active when God is at work for the salvation of souls. The prince of evil contests every inch of ground over which God's people advance in their journey toward the heavenly city. In all the history of the church, no reformation has been carried forward without encountering serious obstacles.
It’s important then for us to understand that each follower of Christ is in a different stage of spiritual development, and as such, we will have to make allowance for growth in grace, which actually takes place at different rates for each believer. Especially is this counsel relevant when there are many new believers coming in from protestant, evangelical, and Catholic churches, who may not have had the light we have had for many years. These new converts should not be fed with spiritual dumplings lest they choke and vomit, but instead should be fed with milk, as situation may warrant. In addition to this, the work of character building, conviction, and decision making on matters of conscience rests with each believer individually, and therefore, the conviction of one person should never be forced upon another, even if it may be with the best of intentions. Let’s read:
[Our High Calling pp. 91] God wants us to have an individual experience. I cannot work out a character for you, and you cannot work out a character for me. The gospel deals with individuals. Every human being has a soul to save or to lose. Each has an individuality separate and distinct from all others. Each must be convicted for himself, converted for himself. He must receive the truth, repent, believe, and obey for himself. He must exercise his will for himself.... Each must surrender to God by his own act.
The Lord does not desire that our individuality shall be destroyed; it is not His purpose that any two persons shall be exactly alike in tastes and dispositions. All have characteristics peculiar to themselves, and these are not to be destroyed, but to be trained, molded, fashioned, after the similitude of Christ. The Lord turns the natural aptitudes and capabilities into profitable channels.
To every man God—not man—has given his work. This is an individual work—the formation of a character after the divine similitude. The lily is not to strive to be like the rose. There are distinctions in the formation of the flowers and in the fruits, but all derive their peculiar variance from God.... So it is God's design that even the best of men shall not all be of the same character. A life consecrated to the service of God will be developed and beautified in its individuality.
No Bible study which identifies problems amongst believers should be convened and ended without a providing a viable cure. Thus, it is important that we show from the word of God the one and only cure that will remedy these issues. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
The Word “Longsuffering” actually consists of two distinct words; “Long” and “Suffering”, and thus, in harmony with its meaning, we should seek to adopt and practice in the real world by the grace of God, the scriptural principles that are involved. There are times when for the sake of unity, we may have to bear with situations which in our judgment might be less than ideal. This is particularly true in cases where there are grey areas in our beliefs, where God does not draw a distinct line either in the Bible or in the spirit of prophecy.
We should not attempt to place red lines in the sand where God has not done so, for this is how the Jews of old came up with the doctrine of “A Sabbath Day’s journey”, together with a host of other binding rules and regulations, which placed unnecessary burdens on the necks of the people, and caused them to view God as being harsh and unfeeling. Thus forbearance is a must if unity is to exist amongst believers. Let’s read:
[Testimonies Vol. 5 pp. 168>169] The heart in which love rules will not be filled with passion or revenge, by injuries which pride and self-love would deem unbearable. Love is unsuspecting, ever placing the most favorable construction upon the motives and acts of others. Love will never needlessly expose the faults of others. It does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but rather seeks to bring to mind some good qualities of the one defamed. Love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”
He whose heart is imbued with love is filled with sorrow at the errors and weaknesses of others; but when truth triumphs, when the cloud that darkened the fair fame of another is removed, or when sins are confessed and wrongs corrected, he rejoices. “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Love not only bears with others’ faults, but cheerfully submits to whatever suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes necessary. This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is the attribute of heaven. As a precious treasure it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.
May we ever seek to learn and practice the lessons of humility and brotherly kindness, so that the souls for whom Christ died, and who may be entrusted to our care, would not stumble at nonessentials, nor stagger at issues which are non-salvific in nature. May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word.
God bless!