ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 9 DAY 1
Mark 9:14-29
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 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.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And 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.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, 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.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
A number of years ago we did ministry in a place that had not heard the Gospel. The people there had no hope, other than seeking witch doctors, who both cursed and “healed” them. People would spend all they had looking for a cure, trapped in darkness; the good news of the Gospel was such freedom to them!
Throughout Scripture, Jesus always asked questions for a reason. In today’s reading Jesus asked: “How long has he been like this?” (Mark 9:21). Evil had taken hold of their lives for a long time. Perhaps that is why the boy's father had such a feeble answer and response for Jesus, “From childhood…but if you can…” (Mark 9:23). He had likely spent much time, energy, and money trying to find a cure for his child, and was completely worn out. Jesus did what the boy's father, the village, and the disciples could not do, He freed him from the evil spirit.
There were two important components to this cure we see today: belief and prayer. Jesus rebuked the people for their lack of faith, twice. Then when the disciples asked Him why they couldn’t heal the boy, Jesus explained that it would only come out by prayer. This seemed to imply that the disciples were attempting to act in their own power, instead of relying on God alone.
If we're honest, prayer isn’t always the solution we want. We usually want advice, so we search the internet, talk to friends, family, and even strangers. We are quick to follow podcasters and other non-experts. We look to medicine, therapy, a wellness regimen, or a better diet. But do we pray?
If you are a person who believes that Jesus Christ died and rose again to pay for your sin, and give you eternal life, then you can pray boldly to your Heavenly Father. Prayer is the first part, but belief is also vital; you must believe. That same faith you exercised when you committed to believe in Jesus, is what you must exercise when you pray.