PETER

                                    IV


(Mark 9:13-29)
A father came whose son was sick, said he was a lunatic,
Possessed with demons foul and mean,
Requesting that we intervene on his
Behalf to cast the demons out.
We prayed to God to heal the lad, exactly as our Master had
Instructed us that we should do,
Expecting healing to ensue.  But we
Were never wholly free from doubt.
The way the father emphasized the child's symptoms mesmerized
Our thought and fastened it upon
The visual phenomenon, instead
Of focusing on truth alone.
The Master said our unbelief interfered with the relief
Our prayerful efforts would have brought
If we had healed the patient's thought, and not
Been so impressed with flesh and bone.
He rebuked the foul spirit, not allowing us to fear it.
The demon cried and rent him sore,
The lad lay writhing on the floor, until
His lifeless form was still and dead.
But Jesus took him by the hand, and the people watched him stand
In spite of his apparent death;
Confirming what our Master saith about
This Sonship we've inherited.
As Sons of God we cannot die.  Jesus came to testify
To this immortal fact of life.
He rose above the mortal strife that hung
Him on the cross to die in shame.
In spite of those who would betray, he lives and heals still today
Through those who follow him instead
Of mouthing words they think he said, — who heal
The sick and sinning in his name.


  
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