And when he [Jesus] had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. . — MATTHEW 10:1

In Matthew chapter 17, we read that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to what became known as the Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus was transfigured before them. The only disciples on the mountain with Jesus were Peter, James, and John. During this experience, the other nine disciples were at the foot of the mountain, where a man brought his son for them to minister to the boy, but they failed. Let’s pick up with verse 14.

MATTHEW 17:14–16
14 And when they [Jesus, Peter, James, and John] were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

The nine disciples had ministered to this man’s son, but they could not cure him. Jesus had given all twelve of His disciples power to cast out unclean spirits, as we see from our text (Matt. 10:1). So you couldn’t say that they didn’t have power. You couldn’t say they were without authority. You couldn’t say they didn’t have it, because Jesus said they did, and I believe Jesus told the truth.

Why weren’t the nine able to help this boy? Jesus gives the answer in Matthew 17: “Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you . . .” (v. 17). Jesus called the disciples “faithless.” Then Jesus rebuked the devil, and the child was cured from that very hour.

The disciples had power, and we have power too. But our faith must activate the power, or we will be rendered helpless.

Confession: Jesus gave me power over all sickness and disease. Therefore, I use my
faith to activate that healing power. I will not be faithless, but believing.