What Makes Jesus Homesick.Thursday June 19, 2025
Theme: As disciples walk on into the age of the church without Christ present, they will need God’s help for consistent faith to do the works of God and not take power for granted.
At the last supper, Jesus tells them that He is leaving them. Do you ever long for the Lord to be in your presence, tangibly, physically?
Jesus tells them that He will not leave them alone - He is sending another Helper - God the Holy Spirit. The physical presence of Christ is going to have to become His presence by faith if they, or we, are going to accomplish anything.
Joh 13:19 "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.”
Joh 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.”
Joh 14:10-12 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”
Joh 14:28-29 “If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 "Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.”
Joh 16:29-32 His disciples said, "Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”
How does the Lord help you to move mountains?
Text: Mat 17:14-20
Coming down like Moses (Exo 32:15-20) as He went up like Moses.
From glory into the world of unbelief - like heaven to earth.
Faith needs help from God.
Hence, faith is a relationship. God must help you while you open to Him, seek Him, and listen to Him (through His Word).
Jesus had given them power to cast out demons but this time something has gone wrong (Mat 10:7-8).
The scene (Mar 9:14-29).
Jesus' emotions – He seems suddenly overwhelmed.
This generation has no faith and is perverted (crooked).
Like Moses: Deu 32:5, 20
Opposite emotion: Mat 11:25-26.
Moses and Elijah’s similar experience (Exo 17:4; 1Ki 19:10).
The disciples are acting like that generation at the time.
“How long?” lamentation poetry in Psalms and prophets (Psa 4:2; 13:2)
Disciples request an explanation.
Reason: the littleness of your faith. (Mat 6:30; Mat 8:26; Mat 14:31; Mat 16:8)
Reason for their lack of faith is not given.
Mountain moving - definition rabbinical: “feats of an exceptional, extraordinary, or impossible nature.”
Mat 21:20-22.
Not limited to great faith, but that of a grain of mustard.
Jesus interprets: “Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Application:
What is faith? It is a relationship in which God helps those who listen to Him, open up to Him, and seek Him.
How is your faith / relationship with God?
The ability of the Lord is not in question, but our faith is - “all things are possible to him who believes.” We must never ask “Can He?” but rather, “Can we?” (1Jo 5:4-5)
Jesus sets aside the quantitative idea of faith (Luk 17:5-6).
Faith is or isn’t. Little faith would refer to it not being around as much as it should.
You will doubt - what do you do? Ask: “Help my unbelief!” Asking expresses faith.
Moving mountains: “This kind …”
“That kind” whether it be of sin, of lust, of the world, or of science, falsely so called, of temptation, or of materialism - will not come out by some ready-made formula or dogma, but by faith in the Word of Christ.
Fleeing faith - when faith leaves you, what to do? (Isa 12:2)
Psa 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
Psa 56:8 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
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