治好被污鬼附身的孩子
（太17‧14－21；路9‧37－43）
14耶穌到了門徒那裏，看見有許多人圍着他們，又有文士和他們辯論。 15眾人一見耶穌，都甚希奇，就跑上去問他的安。 16耶穌問他們說：「你們和他們辯論的是甚麼？」 17眾人中間有一個人回答說：「夫子，我帶了我的兒子到你這裏來，他被啞巴鬼附着。 18無論在哪裏，鬼捉弄他，把他摔倒，他就口中流沫，咬牙切齒，身體枯乾。我請過你的門徒把鬼趕出去，他們卻是不能。」 19耶穌說：「噯！不信的世代啊，我在你們這裏要到幾時呢？我忍耐你們要到幾時呢？把他帶到我這裏來吧。」 20他們就帶了他來。他一見耶穌，鬼便叫他重重地抽瘋，倒在地上，翻來覆去，口中流沫。 21耶穌問他父親說：「他得這病有多少日子呢？」回答說：「從小的時候。 22鬼屢次把他扔在火裏、水裏，要滅他。你若能做甚麼，求你憐憫我們，幫助我們。」 23耶穌對他說：「你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。」 24孩子的父親立時喊着說：「我信！但我信不足，求主幫助。」 25耶穌看見眾人都跑上來， 就斥責那污鬼，說：「你這聾啞的鬼，我吩咐你從他裏頭出來，再不要進去！」 26那鬼喊叫，使孩子大大地抽了一陣瘋，就出來了。孩子好像死了一般，以致眾人多半說：「他是死了。」 27但耶穌拉着他的手，扶他起來，他就站起來了。 28耶穌進了屋子，門徒就暗暗地問他說：「我們為甚麼不能趕出他去呢？」 29耶穌說：「非用禱告(有古卷有禁食這字)，這一類的鬼總不能出來。」
弟兄姊妹平安。今天我們要講的故事是關於耶穌醫治一個被污鬼附著的男孩。
昨天，我們提到了耶穌在高山上變相的事情。他在三個門徒面前展示了他原來的樣貌，並確認了接下來的使命。當耶穌下山時，他看到其他門徒被一群人圍住。他們正在和文士辯論，於是耶穌問道：「這是怎麼回事呢？」
有一個人站出來，向耶穌傾訴他的兒子被鬼附身的情況。他提到許多問題，而耶穌的門徒卻無法趕出這個惡靈。
在第十九節中，我們可以感受到耶穌的人性表達。他呼喊著：“唉，不信的世代啊！我在你們這裡要到幾時呢？我忍耐你們要到幾時呢？把他帶到我這裡來吧。” 從這些話語中，我們可以感受到耶穌的挫折感。在這一刻，他在面對人群的同時，他也表達了他內心的情緒，因為他知道自己即將走上受難的十字架之路。然而，回到山下後，這些門徒仍然無法完成他們應該完成的事情。因此，在這句話中，我們也能感受到耶穌對門徒這樣的事情感到無力。
作為基督徒，我們可能在不同的時間點成為領袖，無論是作為小牧者、小組長、區牧或者是牧師，傳道人等等。有時候，我們可能會感受到同樣的情況，說著：“我還要忍受多久呢？”這可能是對自己的失望，也可能是對跟隨者的一些困難的情緒表達。當我們遇到這種情況時，我們應該明白這是人性的常態。同時，這也督促我們趕緊回到耶穌面前，求他來幫助我們。
接下來，讓我們看看耶穌的回應是什麼。這個父親說他的孩子從小的時候就被丟在火裡水裡，要滅他，求主憐憫幫助我們。而在這個時候，耶穌的回應是非常重要的，也是我們都要理解的回應。他說：“你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。”
當我們看這句話時，我們要仔細審查，因為如果我們不小心的話，有時候會把這句話無限上綱，好像說的是只要你信，要什麼就有什麼。我只要信我有，我能發財，我就會發財。我只要能信，我就無所不能。
聖經的總原則很重要，當我們解讀的時候，必須從總原則來看。耶穌在這裡說的是，當你在做事情的時候，一切的起始點是由信心開始。
有一個寓言故事是這樣講述的：當你要訓練一頭大象時，你必須從小象開始。當象還是幼年時，你會在他脖子上扣一個項圈，裝上一條鐵鏈，並將它綁在地上的一根樁子上。這時，小象會努力地掙扎，但因為樁子緊緊地釘在地上，它無法掙脫。隨著時間的推移，即使大象長大後的力量增加了五倍或十倍，它仍然相信這根樁子是它無法戰勝的。因此，即使大象有了力氣，有了有機會，它也不會試圖離開。
很多時候，我們也是一樣。我們被一些負面的思維模式所捆綁，當我們自己都不相信時，我們即使有能力，也做不到。因為內心不斷地告訴我們，我們做不到。這也是魔鬼攻擊我們最大的武器之一。當牠剝奪了你的信心時，你的行為就會失去能力。而失去信心後，一切就無法實現，因為信心是一切行動的原動力。
這個父親除了最重要的一句話，說道：“主啊，我信，但我信不足，求主幫助。” 他雖然相信，但他的信心不足。因此，他向主求助。我們其實隨時隨地都可以向主求助。當我們遇到困難時，我們的心都會受到影響，變得軟弱。所以願我們常常來到上帝面前，向主祈求：“主啊，我的信心不足，求你幫助。” 這個孩子正是因為這樣的信心而得到了醫治。
在第28節，門徒問耶穌：“為什麼我們趕不走呢？我們做的和你一樣的事情，也是奉你的名啊。” 耶穌回答他們說：“這一類的鬼，非用禱告（古卷有禁食）總不能出來。”
耶穌的教導告訴我們什麼呢？他指出門徒的生活與上帝的親密程度不夠，即使他們擁有門徒的權柄，但仍需要禱告來支取屬天的力量。禱告是基督徒最強大的改變世界的武器，因為當我們禱告時，我們就與上帝同行，請上帝與我們同工。當上帝介入時，一切才變得有意義，我們才具有力量。因此，禱告的重點在於與上帝親近，與上帝有親密的關係，與上帝的心意相通。為什麼禱告是許多牧師推崇的真正重要的行為？因為我們在禱告中才能真正與上帝交流，並明白他的心意。
弟兄姊妹，我們可以坦然面對軟弱，坦然面對我們信心不足。而上帝樂意我們天天與祂交談，天天向祂禱告，沒有事情大到祂無法處理，也沒有事情小到祂不願意聆聽。連我們的頭髮祂都數過了，這就是愛我們的天父上帝。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天繼續講重要的，關於天上和地上的地位的觀念。
Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
“What are you arguing with them about?”he asked.
A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
“You unbelieving generation,”Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“ ‘If you can believe”said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,”he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today, the story we are going to talk about is Jesus healing a boy possessed by a demon.
Yesterday, we discussed Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain. He revealed his true form to three disciples and confirmed his upcoming mission. As Jesus descended from the mountain, he saw other disciples surrounded by a crowd. They were debating with scribes, so Jesus asked, "What is going on here?"
A man stepped forward and explained how his son had been afflicted by a demon since childhood. He mentioned many issues, yet the disciples were unable to drive out the evil spirit.
In verse 19, we can sense Jesus' expression of humanity. He exclaimed, "Oh, unbelieving generation! How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." From these words, we can feel Jesus' frustration. In this moment, he expressed his emotions while facing the crowd, knowing he was about to embark on the path of suffering on the cross. However, upon returning to the disciples, they still couldn't accomplish what they were supposed to. Therefore, in this statement, we also perceive Jesus feeling powerless towards the disciples' situation.
As Christians, we may become leaders at different times, whether as small pastors, small group leaders, district pastors, or ministers, and so on. Sometimes, we may feel the same, saying, "How much longer must I endure?" This could be disappointment in ourselves or frustration with the difficulties of followers. When we encounter such situations, we should understand that this is a common human experience. At the same time, it urges us to quickly return to Jesus and ask for his help.
Next, let's see what Jesus' response was. The father said his child had been thrown into fire and water since childhood, seeking the Lord's mercy and help. At this moment, Jesus' response was crucial and something we all need to understand. He said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
When we look at this statement, we need to examine it carefully because if we're not careful, we might misinterpret it, thinking that as long as we believe, we can have whatever we want. "If I believe I have, I will prosper. If I just believe, I can do anything." The overall principle of the Bible is crucial, and when interpreting it, we must consider the overarching principle. Jesus here is saying that when you are doing something, faith is the starting point for everything.
There's a fable that illustrates this: When you train an elephant, you start when it's young. When the elephant is still a baby, you put a collar around its neck, attach a chain, and tie it to a stake in the ground. At this point, the baby elephant will struggle but because the stake is firmly rooted in the ground, it cannot break free. As time goes by, even when the elephant's strength increases fivefold or tenfold, it still believes that the stake is something it cannot overcome. So, even if the elephant has the strength and opportunity, it won't attempt to leave.
Many times, we're the same. We're bound by some negative thought patterns, and when we ourselves don't believe, even if we have the ability, we can't do it. Because our inner voice keeps telling us we can't. This is also one of the greatest weapons the devil uses to attack us. When it strips away your confidence, your actions lose their power. And after losing faith, nothing can be achieved because faith is the driving force behind all actions.
This father, besides the most important statement, said, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Even though he believed, his faith was not sufficient. Therefore, he sought help from the Lord. In fact, we can seek help from the Lord anytime, anywhere. When we encounter difficulties, our hearts become weak. So let us always come before God, asking, "Lord, my faith is not enough, please help me." It was because of this kind of faith that the child was healed.
In verse 28, the disciples asked Jesus, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" "Why couldn't we do what you did? We did the same thing and even did it in your name." Jesus replied to them, "This kind can come out only by prayer (Some manuscripts have fasting)." Jesus' teaching tells us what? He pointed out that the disciples' lives were not close enough to God, even though they had the authority of disciples, they still needed prayer to support the power of heaven. Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons for Christians to change the world because when we pray, we work with God. When God intervenes, everything becomes meaningful, and we have the power. Therefore, the essence of prayer lies in being close to God, having an intimate relationship with God, and being in tune with God's will. Why is prayer considered by many pastors as the truly important action? Because it is in prayer that we can truly communicate with God and understand his will.
Brothers and sisters, we can face our weaknesses and acknowledge our lack of faith with courage. And God delights in us talking to Him every day, praying to Him every day. Nothing is too big for Him to handle, and nothing is too small for Him to listen to. He has even counted the hairs on our heads; that's our loving Heavenly Father God.
Thank you all for listening. We will continue tomorrow to discuss the important concept of positions in heaven and on earth.
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