Jesus Bids Us to Believe

A father, desperately searching for healing for his son.
Frustrated disciples, defending their teacher and justifying their failure.
A crowd of onlookers, hungry for the next thrill.

Enter Jesus. His words display his deep care for those who will follow him. "Oh Unbelieving Generation!" he exclaims to the onlookers. He cares passionately that people would understand His message of love, first received from God and then spread out to our dark world.

Jesus cares very much that we understand him, and that we receive his message: Believe. Believe that He is the One who can heal. Believe that he is the One who can forgive. Believe that He is the One who is the light of this world.

Later, when Jesus has removed himself from the crowds (notice he never again addresses the crowds or the teachers of the law after his first exclamation!), his disciples ask him, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" Jesus uses this opportunity to show them, once again, why he cares: He cares that we believe because he knows that apart from his love, from his Father's love, we can do nothing.
"This kind comes out only by prayer..." says Jesus and echoes David's heart in Psalm 16 when he says "You are my God! Apart from you I have no good thing."

Jesus knows that living apart from him, not remaining in his love, won't bring us to the new life he offers. To know him, to love him, to spread his love to the world requires total dependence and full immersion in his love, all the time. Sunday morning David shared homework for this week: Observe those around you. Remain in Jesus' love by praying, "Lord, how can I love the ones you love? Help me to know you so that I might know them better."

Thrive is off this week because of Henrico County school holiday. Everyone is invited out for a playdate & lunch at Short Pump Towne Center beginning at 10:30 on Thursday. Hey, the mall is a great place to spread some love and complete our homework! Let's see how many people we can get on the kiddie train.