24.156 | I Believe; Help My Unbelief! | Mark 9:14-26 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

Text: Mark 9:14-26 ESV

I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!

When Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down, they saw a great crowd and scribes arguing with the rest of the disciples. Jesus inquired what they were arguing about. Out from the crowd, a man said, “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.” This boy has been sick since his childhood. He was oppressed by a demon that caused him to be deaf and mute and have seizures. Perhaps, there was frustration from the father and crowd when their expectations were not met. And the unbelieving scribes may have used it against them, taunting them as fake and deceivers. They even accused Jesus of being Satanic in His healing work.

Upon hearing it, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, saying, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” Jesus is patient with the disciples most of the time. But, He was hard unto them should they refuse to accept what He has taught them. He has rebuked the Twelve for being hard-hearted (Mark 8:17) He equated Peter's words with those of Satan (Mark 8:33). Jesus also has already exposed the scribes for their ' lack of faith (Mark 3:22–30). In Matthew 17:20, Jesus reveals that the faithless generation includes both the scribes and disciples.

The father was doubtful. He has just spent time with Jesus' nine followers who could do nothing for his son. Moreover, the Jewish scribes apparently argue that they do not have the power or authority to do so (v.14). yet, Jesus is understandable to him. He encourages him, “’If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes." Jesus isn't saying that we can accomplish anything we want if we have enough faith; this isn't an endorsement of the Word of Faith teachings. True faith doesn't presume that God will do what we want but that God can do what He wants (see Mark 1:40–42).

Without hesitation, the father responded, "I believe; help my unbelief!" In an expression of honest vulnerability, the father declares what faith he has alongside his doubt and fear. Definitely, He is our example of someone who understands God wants all of us, not just the bold confidence of the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24–30), or the adoration of Mary of Bethany (John 12:3). He also wants the limitations of Peter (John 21:15–19) and the terrible miscalculations of Paul (1 Tim 1:13). Simply put, Jesus wants whatever else we have in our hearts, both good and bad. We can’t hide anything from Him anyway.

Jesus expelled the demon completely. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." A person who is freed from a demon can expect the demon to reappear with other spirits (Mat 12:43–45). But it's safe to assume this demon obeyed Jesus' command not to ever afflict the boy again.

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