By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Commands
Mark 9:14–27
Powerless (14–18)
Life’s mountaintop experiences often are followed by valleys. Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain is followed by the valley of His disciples’ powerlessness, evidenced on numerous levels.
First and foremost, as representatives of Christ, they are powerless to heal the boy. Next they lack control over their emotions as they feud with the religious leaders while a father agonizes over his suffering child. Ultimately they fail because they don’t seek the only source of real power through prayer.
Like the disciples far too often we neglect prayer and thus focus on things that have no eternal significance — such as the color of the carpet, the style of music, the order of worship and so forth. Is there any wonder why we experience so little power?
Hopeless (19–21)
The disciples lacked power and were hopeless over this evil spirit. The religious leaders armed with their law provided zero hope. In fact no human intervention could provide hope for this family. A fundamental problem with both the people and the disciples is their unbelief. Hope shows up in Jesus who reprimands them for their unbelief.
As soon as the spirit sees Jesus it causes the boy to roll around and foam at the mouth. Jesus watches the boy writhing on the ground while He asks the dad, “How long has this been happening?” We can understand the hopelessness of this parent who has watched his boy suffer since childhood.
Faithless (22–24)
Obviously the failure of the disciples was another disappointment as the father sought healing for his child. We sense the anguish in his voice as he explains that his boy has almost died by drowning and burning. This situation is grave and all hope seems to be fading. From this hopeless and faithless mindset the dad asks Jesus to help — “If you can.” The implied skepticism is met with a sharp comeback from Christ that everything is possible for the person who believes.
Make no mistake this statement does not mean if you have enough faith any sickness will be healed. Far too often this faulty belief leads to guilt when a person prays in faith and no healing comes. We ask, “Did I fail to believe enough?” No. Do not miss the point. Jesus must be the object of belief; faith in Jesus sets no limits to the power of God. In other words Jesus is challenging the man to put his faith in the miracle worker instead of the miracle.
With Jesus’ unlimited power all things are possible. I love the dad’s cry, “I believe, help my unbelief!” Confession of our unbelief is necessary for moving from faithlessness to belief.
Faithful (25–27)
As a crowd rushes together to witness the commotion Jesus commands the demon to leave and never return. As the evil spirit leaves the boy convulses violently and then becomes motionless. In fact many in the crowd murmur, “He is dead.” Remember Jesus challenges the boy’s father to believe in Him. Jesus has been here before with Jairus’ daughter. Whether the boy is dead or not is of no consequence to Jesus because He is the life giver.
Using resurrection language Mark states Jesus “raised him” and “he stood up.” Not only was the boy healed from the demon, but even more importantly he was raised by Jesus to a new life. This lesson should remind us to put our trust in the faithful Jesus. Belief in Jesus, not the miracle, is a necessary step as we grow in faithful obedience to Him.
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