How Long?

“O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I [Jesus] to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” (Matthew 17:17, ESV 2025).

My Musings – The context of this particular statement by Jesus is the failure of the His disciples to cast out a demon due to insufficient faith. One might ask why such a harsh response? Because faith is the indispensable requirement for mankind’s deliverance from its “twisted” sin nature.

“How long am I to be with you?” Not much longer. “‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.’ And they were greatly distressed.” (Matthew 17:22–23, ESV 2025). The disciples were “greatly distressed,” still not fully aware of what Christ’s mission was.

Not too much earlier, Peter answering for all the disciples, had declared “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16, ESV 2025). They knew who He was, but not why He came. Not yet. And Jesus’ response showed that He was “greatly [frustrated].” “How long am I [Jesus] to be with you?” How long before you get it?

Now, some two thousand years later, this generation which claims to be enlightened, is as “faithless and twisted” as ever. Despite clear and convincing evidence of who He was and why He came. Yet more deny it than accept it. So, the question now before us is, “how long am I to bear with you?” Or perhaps “why am I still bearing with you?” “Where is the promise of His coming” (2 Peter 3:4, ESV 2025). How long before He is with us again? Why the delay?

My Advice – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward [us], not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV 1984). That’s why He delays. Do not be “faithless.” Don’t be among the perishing. Take advantage of His patience, of His delay. Accept who He is and why He came. He came for you.