Good morning. It looks like a beautiful spring day, all the more reason for praise!
I would like to share thoughts this morning on a passage of scripture found in Mark 9:14-29. There are some noteworthy and unusual things that happen in the event described.
In Mark’s gospel, this event takes place immediately after Jesus returns from the transfiguration with Peter, James, and John. As he approaches a crowd of people, Jesus sees that His remaining disciples are arguing with scribes, educated persons often thought of as experts in scripture. The scribes are a part of the Jewish political structure that felt threatened by Jesus and they opposed Him. In this case, the scribes are arguing with Jesus’ disciples over a failure on their part.
When Jesus arrives and asks what they are arguing about, a man comes forward to explain. He tells Him that his son is under the influence of an unclean spirit. This spirit has left his son with symptoms that sound like epileptic seizures, coupled with removing the son’s ability to speak. He tells Jesus that he had brought his son for healing, and it was Jesus’ disciples who were there to deal with him. “I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” Mark 9:18
Jesus’ response to this situation is very interesting: And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” Mark 9:19 It seems clear that Jesus is disappointed in His disciple’s failure. The time that He will have with them is limited, and clearly their failure demonstrates that they could have succeeded but had failed spiritually.
Jesus commands that the boy be brought to Him. As soon as the demonic spirit is in the presence of Jesus it unleashes all of its power against the boy. We are told in verse 22 that the evil spirit’s intention has been to cause the boy’s death. Jesus wants to know how long this has been going on and is told that it has been since the boy was very young. The boy’s father then makes a very telling statement: “…it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Mark 9:22
It is a small word, even in the Greek language in which it is written, and in the Aramaic language that it was likely spoken. The word is “if.” “If you can do anything…”
How often does that word reflect the reality of your prayer life? Do you pray with conviction, with an absolute certainty that your prayer is heard, will be answered, that God’s will is going to be done, and that within His will “…all things will work together for your good?” Romans 8:28
Jesus immediately responds to the man’s doubts: And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”Mark 9:23 There is no place for “if” when we are seeking the will of God and presenting our needs to our Heavenly Father in keeping with His will.
The man in question corrects himself as best he can: Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”Mark 9:24 Isn’t that an incredible sentence? “I believe; help my unbelief!”The man may have claimed his absolute belief to Jesus’ disciples, even though it wasn’t purely true. They likely accepted what he said at face value, but not Jesus. Jesus knows the truth of it, and Jesus calls this shaky faith into question. However, Jesus possesses a heart of pure compassion and He doesn’t hesitate to heal the boy. “He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Mark 9:25 The boy was healed, and the father was undoubtedly relieved and elated. The argument from the scribes is cast aside and not even mentioned again.
The ones left to face Jesus are His disciples. They ask “why?” Why weren’t they successful? Jesus’ answer is one we should take note of and consider: “He said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:29
The disciples had thought that they had the power. The had hoped that the demon would be defeated by their own will and spiritual strength. Jesus’ correction is clear as He tells them that it takes prayer.
When He first hears of the situation Jesus’ response was: “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” This would indicate that they should have known better. They should have known that only God is capable and without bringing the need to Him in prayer, their efforts would be futile.
It is well that we should remember these lessons. There is no “if” in God’s power. He can and will do what He deems as righteous. It is a righteous prayer that we would bring to God that He would “help us in our unbelief.” It is an essential truth to always remember that it is God’s power and not our own that will decide the outcome. Our role is to pray!
God bless your victories today!
Vern