The Message Today – 3/16/2025
Luke 9: 28-43 Faith Moving Mountains
A few weeks ago, our lectionary called for Luke 9: 28-36. This was when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, John, And James. The theme behind this passage was “The
Jesus Way.” This theme examined how to act as disciples of Jesus. This week, we have this same, however the scripture in the lectionary includes additional verses, specifically 37-43. This is where Jesus healed a boy with the demon after they came down from the mountain. On the mountain, as Jesus was transfigured in dazzling white, “suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (v31-32). Here, Jesus’ glory is revealed when Moses and Elijah appear, thus showing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. In verse 33, “Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said.” Peter wanted to stay but Jesus’ mission is not to stay in glory, but to bring salvation. Friends, Faith is not about staying in spiritual highs; it is about listening to Jesus and following Him into the World.
This story moves from glory on the mountain to struggle in the valley. After the mountaintop experience, the disciples face a challenge they cannot overcome, a demon-possessed boy. We find this in verse 40, where the man says, “I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” This failure suggests a lack of faith or authority on their part. In Matthew's parallel account (Matthew 17:14-20), Jesus explicitly tells the disciples that their failure was due to their "little faith." Notice Jesus’ answer in verse 41, Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”
We may wonder to whom Jesus was addressing in this passage. It is surmised he was addressing both the crowd and the disciples. Theologians state He addressed the disciples based on their little faith, and the crowd due to their lack of faith. The phrase "faithless and perverse generation" is a strong rebuke that echoes Old Testament language (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:5, 20), where Israel was often called a "perverse generation" due to their lack of faith. It suggests that Jesus is also lamenting the general spiritual condition of the people, who often sought miracles but did not fully trust in God. We can even add that perhaps he was addressing the boy’s father also, because they all struggle with faith. The disciples lacked faith in their authority to heal, the father may have doubted whether Jesus could truly help, and the crowd often followed Jesus more for signs and wonders than true belief. We must consider the fact that faith must be active in the valley, not just on the mountaintop. Real faith trusts Jesus in the hardest moments. In our life, in our own wilderness, we often experience glory on the mountain, yet as we move down that mountain, we encounter our own struggle in the valley.
Friends, From the Mountain to the Valley – Christ is With Us The mountaintop experiences—whether a spiritual awakening, a moment of answered prayer, or a deep sense of God's presence—are gifts that strengthen us. But faith is not just built on the mountain; it is tested and refined in the valley. Our servant Jesus did not stay on the mountain. He descended to meet a broken world, stepping into the suffering of a desperate father and a tormented child. He does the same for us. We do not journey alone—Our servant Christ walks with us into the valley.
The Good News: Our Faith is Not in Our Strength, But in Christ’s Power
The disciples failed because they relied on themselves instead of fully trusting Jesus. Often, in our struggles, we try to "fix" things ourselves, only to feel powerless. But the power to overcome does not come from our ability—it comes from Christ. "Bring your son here." (Luke 9:41) Jesus calls the father to bring his suffering child to Him. This is a beautiful reminder that we are called to bring our burdens, our struggles, and even our weak faith to Jesus.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus tells the disciples that faith as small as a mustard seed is enough to move mountains because it is not about the size of our faith, but the greatness of the One in whom we trust.
We have encouragement for Those Struggling in Everyday Life. When you feel overwhelmed, when your prayers feel unheard, when you doubt whether God is near—remember the mountaintop but also trust that Jesus is in the valley. The same servant Jesus who shines in glory is the same servant Jesus who reaches out His hand to heal, to restore, to carry you through. The transfiguration was a glimpse of His divine power, but His descent into the valley was an act of love and mercy.
Even in your darkest moments, Jesus does not remain distant—He comes to meet you where you are. He does not just show His glory from a distance; He enters into your pain and carries you through it.
Friends there is a call to Faith in the valleys of the wilderness in our life. Faith is not about avoiding struggles—it is about trusting Christ through them. When you feel weak, remember: even a small faith, a mustard-seed faith, placed in Christ, is enough. Jesus is not disappointed by your struggles—He invites you to bring them to Him.
“And all were astounded at the greatness of God.” (Luke 9:43a) The miracle was not just in the healing—it was in the revelation of God’s power and presence in the midst of brokenness. That same power is at work in our life today.
Friends, we all long for the mountaintop moments—those times when we feel God’s presence so clearly, when His glory shines brightly in our lives. But the truth is, our journey does not end on the mountain. We must descend into the valleys of life, where struggles, doubts, and hardships meet us.
Yet, here is the Good News: The same Jesus who shines in glory on the mountain is the same Jesus who walks with us in the valley. He does not leave us in our weakness; He comes near. He does not abandon us in our struggles; He speaks His power and healing into our lives. So, when you feel burdened, when your faith feels small, when the valley seems too deep—lift your eyes. You do not walk alone. Jesus is with you, and His grace is sufficient for you. Bring your struggles to Him, trust in His strength, and know that even a mustard seed of faith is enough. God is still at work, and His power is greater than anything you face.
So, when you feel burdened, when your faith feels small, when the valley seems too deep—lift your eyes. You do not walk alone. Jesus is with you, and His grace is sufficient for you.
When the weight of life presses down, remember this: God is not distant—He is near, closer than your very breath. "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). Your struggles do not define you—God’s love does. "Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). Your failures do not disqualify you—His mercy is new every morning. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23). Your prayers are not unheard—the Lord inclines His ear to your cries. "The Lord hears when I call to Him" (Psalm 4:3). Even in silence, God is working—when you cannot see it, He is still moving. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
Bring your struggles to Him, trust in His strength, and know that even a mustard seed of faith is enough. God is still at work in your life, writing a story of redemption, healing, and victory.
So do not be afraid. Do not lose heart. The same servant Jesus who shined in glory on the mountain, who walked through the valley with His disciples, and who defeated death itself, is the same savior Jesus who holds you today. And when the valley feels long, when the night seems endless, remember, the morning will come. The light of our friend Christ will shine, and His love will never fail you. Hold on, dear friends. Hope is alive. And Jesus walks with you, now and always, our Servant, Our Savior, and our Friend. Let us pray:
Gracious and Almighty God, We come before You today, carrying the burdens of our hearts, the struggles of our days, and the valleys that seem too deep to cross. Yet, in the midst of it all, we lift our eyes to You, our help and our refuge (Psalm 121:1-2). Lord, You are the God of the mountain, where Your glory shines brightly. But You are also the God of the valley, where our faith is tested, where doubts creep in, and where we sometimes feel alone. But You, O Lord, have promised: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
When we are weary, remind us that Your grace is sufficient, and Your power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we are afraid, whisper to our hearts: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God" (Isaiah 41:10). When our faith feels small, help us trust that even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Lord Jesus, You stepped down from the mountain of glory and walked into the suffering of this world. You do the same for us—You meet us in our valleys, You reach for us in our doubts, and You carry us when we are too weak to walk.
So today, we surrender our burdens to You. We bring our struggles, our hurts, and our fears before Your throne, knowing that You are working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). We trust that even when we cannot see, You are still moving. Father, strengthen our faith. Deepen our hope. Renew our joy. And remind us that we do not walk this journey alone—You are with us, now and always. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Servant, our Savior, Redeemer, and ever-present Friend.
Amen.
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