Trying to be like Jesus - prepared

Shortly after coming down from the Transfiguration, Jesus healed a child whom the disciples had been unable to heal, with accounts in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9.

In both Matthew and Mark he tells us that "this kind" only comes out by fasting and prayer. One could assume that he was referring to that kind of demon (often assumed to be epilepsy). There are enough references to unbelief that I wonder if he means that. Jesus gives the unbelief of the disciples as a primary reason for their failure before adding the part about fasting and prayer, he talks about faith to both the disciples and the child's father - who asks for help with his unbelief - and in all three accounts he exclaims on the "faithless generation".

I do not doubt that some healings requires greater faith, and it is logical that casting out one's unbelief would be key to greater power. The other thought that I have had though, is that he was not fasting right then.

We often combine fasting with prayer for things we desire, and I know people who - if possible - take time to fast before being called on to give a blessing. What I also take from this account is that a long pattern of fasting and prayer was a key part of his preparation and power.

We know that Jesus fasted and prayed for an extended period of time before starting his ministry. We don't know if he had a regular practice of fasting before that time, though it is certainly possible. We do know that he was not constantly fasting during his ministry, because the Pharisees complained about him being gluttonous and a winebibber, comparing him negatively to John the Baptist (whom they also disregarded, and I suspect they were exaggerating about the gluttony).

It is possible that the 40 days of fasting was an extended time period because there would not be that option for solitude once things had started. We read of times he tried to get away, but his ministry was a consuming one.

I do know one other thing about his preparation before, and that is that it included a thorough study of scripture. He was well versed in the law and the prophets, using them to counter arguments from men and Satan.

I have often been impressed at how things that you studied once can come back, but also after studying multiple times it goes beyond something you recollect to something that is a part of you.

In a time of crisis we may turn to prayer and scriptures to give us strength, and that's reasonable. The reading and pondering and praying that we do when things are normal may be even more important. We build up strength and understanding that prepares us for what will come.

Writing this now, it also occurs to me that if we can see ahead to something that we know will be taxing, or where we will want extra preparation, then perhaps we can plan for that. Perhaps we can take some time to fast or retreat to the woods or read a passage that seems relevant. Sometimes we will get that guidance - perhaps an urge to read a certain passage or to go for a long walk alone. It is great that this can happen. Living our lives in a manner where we are doing basic things to be spiritually prepared makes that more possible.