Twisted – Luke 9:37-45

What do we mean when we say someone is twisted.  Merriam-Webster says it means mentally or emotionally unsound or disturbed.  The word itself suggests that it once was straight but has become, as another says, forced out of its natural and proper shape.  Human beings were created smooth and straight, but our rebellion has forced us out of this proper shape.

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. And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

   But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.  (Luke 9:37-45 ESV)

The glorious reality experienced on the mountain is met now with the fallen reality of life in Israel.  Her people are demonically oppressed and there is not faith enough to see God’s victory.  Jesus heals the boy attacked by the unclean spirit, but he grieves and is angry at faithlessness and rebelliousness of his people.

Jesus sees clearly what is coming and he tries to help his disciples see it too, but they cannot.  This faithless generation is going to kill him.  Jesus is going to be delivered into the hands of humans, the glorious Son of God, the Messiah, is going to be rejected by his own and put to death.  God Himself keeps the disciples from perceiving what Jesus means, perhaps so that they will be able to continue with Jesus for now, more afraid to ask him the meaning of his words than they are afraid of being associated with him and targeted for the same treatment.

Even now we are often unwilling to see that the world opposes us and we cannot be friends with it but must be rescuers of it against its will.  We cannot force the truth upon the world and we may have to suffer its wrath.