Listen

Jesus answered, “You faithless and crooked generation, how long will I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him down and shook him violently. Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. Everyone was overwhelmed by God’s greatness.

Luke 9:41-43a

Think

Jesus had gone up to the mountaintop and had an incredible experience (the Transfiguration), only to come back down and be greeted by sin and failure. He honestly doesn’t sound too pleased. He sounds frustrated and disappointed. Still, he heals the child, and “Everyone was overwhelmed by God’s greatness.” What do we do with this?

Jesus was like us. He had good days, and he had hard days, confusing days, days when he was overwhelmed with joy, and days when he was all alone. The people around him were sometimes a big help and encouragement, and sometimes they let him down and upset him. Still, Jesus always did the right thing. He helped and healed, listened, and cared. May we follow his example on our good days and on our hard days.

Alex Flannagan

Question to Ponder:

Can you think of a time when you felt ready to give up, but you did the hard/right thing anyway?

Pray

Almighty God, I am not perfect. Thank you for sending Jesus to be with me and show me what it means to be human, to be conflicted sometimes, and still strive for what is good and right, even when it’s hard. Walk with me every day as I learn what it means to love you, serve you, and glorify your name. Amen.

Go

Trust can take a long time to build. Where do you want to put your trust today?