Help My Unbelief!
Today’s Text:
Mark 9:14–29 (WEB) — 14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them. 15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him. 16 He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?” 17 One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; 18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.” 19 He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth. 21 He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?” He said, “From childhood. 22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” 26 After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose. 28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”
1. What is happening in this passage?
Jesus heals a man’s son, even though the man has a lacking faith—the disciples themselves lacked the faith to cast it out, forgetting even to pray to have the faith in what Jesus can do.
2. What is God revealing about humanity?
Without faith, our lives are marked by chaos: arguing, frothing, writhing… Evil runs amuck! We naturally and easily doubt, but with even a little faith, God can and will do miracles!
3. What is God revealing about Himself?
Jesus marvels at our lack of faith, but He responds powerfully at the SMALLEST sign of a desire to believe by demonstrating a total authority over the powers of evil and chaos in our lives.
4. How should our lives change?
Recognize the chaos in our lives brought on by our lack of trust in God, and realize the way to regain composure and peace is by acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal, turning to Him rather than trusting in ourselves. Pray for even the smallest faith.
