Ministry
363
While they were waiting at the foot of the mountain, a father had
brought to them his son, to be delivered from a dumb spirit that tor-
mented him. 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.
But suddenly the accusations ceased. Jesus and the three disciples
were seen approaching, and with a quick revulsion of feeling the people
turned to meet them. The night of communion with the heavenly glory
had left its trace upon the Saviour and His companions. Upon their
countenances was a light that awed the beholders. The scribes drew
back in fear, while the people welcomed Jesus.
As if He had been a witness of all that had occurred, the Saviour
came to the scene of conflict, and fixing His gaze upon the scribes
inquired, “What question ye with them?”
But the voices so bold and defiant before were now silent. A hush
had fallen upon the entire company. Now the afflicted father made his
way through the crowd, and falling at the feet of Jesus, poured out the
story of his trouble and disappointment.
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“Master,” he said, “I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a
dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: ... and I
spake to Thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could
not.”
Jesus looked about Him upon the awe-stricken multitude, the cav-
iling scribes, the perplexed disciples. He read the unbelief in every
heart; and in a voice filled with sorrow He exclaimed, “O faithless
generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?”
Then He bade the distressed father, “Bring thy son hither.”