Desperation Incarnate

Jesus was Salvation Incarnate. As He came off the mountain Jesus stared into the face of Desperation Incarnate. When a man's son is in the clutches of evil and it will not let him go, the tug of war that ensues is a royal battle. Who among us would not fight for our children? Who among us could stand idly by and watch the constant pain and suffering of our child? In this story, we get a very detailed picture of chronic suffering and desperation, none worse found anywhere in Scripture. Perhaps the only story that comes close to the type of detail we see here is the crucifixion of God's only Son. In this story we see the suffering of another man's only son. Look at the detailed description of what this boy went through. Put yourself in the shoes of this father and mother. I have identified no less than thirteen terms that paint the picture of this boy's condition.

• Lunatic (Matt.17:15) Do you see luna in the word? It means moonstruck. This is probably the superstitious meaning of it. Mark 4:24 translates it epileptic. Though this disease was probably unknown then by any scientific means, it was know through experience.
• Very Ill (Matt.17:15) The Syrophoenician woman of Matt.15:22 says her daughter is cruelly demon-possessed. "Cruelly" is the same word. This is no minor condition.
• Often falls into the fire (Matt.17:15); Mark 9:22) Marks says the demon throws him into the fire. Surely then there are burn marks on the child. The constant fear of him being around an open fire must have been relentless.
• Often falls into the water (Matt.17:15; Mark.9:22) This too is a life-threatening problem. Has the boy taken in water? Has it taken its toll on his lungs?
• Possessed with a spirit which makes him mute (Mark 9:17). This is a "dumb spirit."The boy cannot talk and express his pain. He is isolated by the spirit robbing him of speech.
• Seizes him (Mark 9:18). The episodes are uncontrollable. There is a feeling of helplessness against a strong power.
• Dashes him to the ground (Mark 9:18). Literally it tears him, breaks him, lacerates him, also meaning to convulse. It is the word used for the bursting of the old wineskins in Matt.9:17 or of the swine who can turn and rend you in Matt.7:6.
• Foams at the mouth (Mark 9:18). This frothing can be caused by many internal disorders.
• Grinds his teeth (Mark 9:18). Means to creak or a grating sound. This is usually associated with intense pain as one clamps his jaws together.
• Stiffins out (Mark 9:18). This could mean wastes away, shrivel up, to become dried out. It is used of the withering grass in James 1:11. This could be dehydration due to a lack of food and drink. It could be the lost of elasticity of the skin and joints.
• Suddenly screams (Luke 9:39). Is there anything worse than to hear the screams of our children when we know they are in severe pain? Nothing tugs at our heart more than this. Did not God hear the screams of His only Son on the cross?
• Mauls him (Luke 9:39). Some translations say "bruises him." It literally means to be broken or to deprive one of strength, to debilitate. This was a debilitating condition.
• Scarcely leaves him (Luke 9:39). The condition is chronic since childhood. Years of suffering like this is the picture. There is no relief, no respite, no break from having to care for this child and to keep him alive.

Surely this is one of those moments in Jesus' life when he comes face to face with the horrible effects of sin and evil. How could Satan do such a thing to anyone, much less a child? This is the face of mankind into which we as God's people must look. The man comes to Jesus and says, "Teacher I beg you to look at my son.." The world begs us to look at its sons and daughters traumatized, beaten, bruised, abused, neglected, and ravaged by sin! We need to hear the cries of Desperation Incarnate!