I've said before that I learn more about God from being a parent than probably anything else. Many of the pictures and situations just come alive for me because of the experiences I have in parenting. This week has been no exception. My Crew are getting older, and therefore more independent. It is quite reasonable to expect more out of an eleven-year-old than from a five-year-old. And while I haven't always done an awesome job of training my Crew in how I want things done, I have been improving-- and they've proven their capabilities. So early this week I found myself very frustrated with them due to their lack of performance in some of their chores. I'm doing my best to train them to think-- and think well-- and it seemed that they were resisting my efforts! And this story came to my mind.
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
Luke 9:37-42
At this point in Jesus' ministry, the apostles have seen many miracles. They've even gone out among the people in the power of God and done miracles themselves. And just prior to this event, Peter, James, and John have seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain. But now we find them unable to cast out a demon. Jesus' response is what struck me. And it struck me from two perspectives. Jesus looks at His apostles, knowing all that He has shown and taught them, AND knowing how short a time He has left with them. And I feel the parental frustration. But then I see from their perspective, although they have the law and prophets, the signs and covenants, and have spent months at least, following Christ-- this is all new to them. They are like toddlers. And they have NO IDEA what they don't know-- or how short their remaining time with Christ will be.
And I was convicted. Because my frustration with my children has less to do with their good, and more to do with my convenience. And because I have tried to excuse my sinful anger by thinking that Christ didn't REALLY experience all the temptations that I have because He wasn't a parent... But He did.
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:9-18
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