After attending a Zoom presentation on writing, with other pastors, someone mentioned he is considering writing about how Jesus was exasperated with the disciples. He referenced Matthew 17:17, where Jesus, faced with the lack of faith of the disciples who could not cast out a demon, remarked, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
Can Jesus’s statement be a source of encouragement to those discouraged in ministry, given that even he was exasperated? Probably not.
When Jesus asks, “How long am I to bear with you?” Is he more like us than we realize? If it were anyone else, we might question their patience or love. Our exasperation can often stem from selfish desires disguised as righteous indignation. Jesus was perfectly exasperated. This response wasn’t a lapse into his human side; he was sinless and did everything perfectly. While he did experience fatigue and uttered, “Not my will, but yours be done,” his exasperation was not sinful.
Yet, the Prince of Peace, the lover of our souls, expresses genuine exasperation at our lack of faith. This realization is good for my soul. If we truly understood what Jesus understands, it would be surprising if he were not even more exasperated by our lack of faith. Jesus “Gets Us,” but we often do not fully understand him.
From my perspective, it’s understandable why they struggled to cast out a demon, but not for Jesus. From his viewpoint, they should have been capable by now. Despite their shortcomings, Jesus continues to love them and answer their questions; he doesn’t record their failings. He doesn’t scold them by saying, “Didn’t I tell you that you’re faithless?”
I don’t find comfort in knowing Jesus was exasperated; it reveals my lack of faith. I grow closer to the Lord when I recognize the vast difference between me and Jesus and place my trust in his power to cast out demons. When Jesus calmed the storm while on a boat with his disciples, their fear of the storm turned to awe and wonder of this man standing before them that the winds and waves obey him. Moses (at the burning bush), Isaiah (Isaiah 6), and Paul (1 Timothy 1:15) all had a wonder and awe of God so that they did not confuse themselves with him. We must recognize with whom we are speaking. I need to revere Jesus, listen to him, and trust him. Faith is what he expects from me. What do you need to trust him for today? He desires and can do what you think is impossible. He expects us to believe.
