Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
This morning I am taking a short side trip from my study of John to look at Mark 9:14-29 in support of my Friday morning men's Bible study group. Here the text looks at Jesus' healing of a boy with an unclean spirit (whom the disciples could not heal). Here are my observations of the text using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is once again sought by crowds as He has been teaching and performing miracles - including healing a deaf man, a blind man (chapter 7,8) and feeding the four thousand (chapter 8). Here, Jesus is among a crowd after the Transfiguration (vv2-13) and a father seeks to heal his son whom the disciples were not able to heal (despite how Jesus sent them out in Mark 6:7-12 and gave them authority over the unclean spirits) - see vv17-18. Jesus rebuked the crowd generally (including the disciples and the father) for their lack of faith - v19. Jesus then specifically rebukes the boy's father who was not fully convinced Jesus could heal his son - vv22-23. Then, Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and the boy is healed. In response to the disciples who questioned Jesus why they could not heal the boy, Jesus shares that "[t]his kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer" (v29). It seems that Jesus wants His disciples to be clear that it is not their power that is doing these miracles but the Triune God who works through them. Yes, Jesus did give the disciples authority over unclean spirits, but that does not make them God, and they remain 100% dependent on God - we are reminded of this and in why we need to pray.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: This is humbling and v29 reminds us to pray and always act in utter dependence on Him. Contrast the father of the boy with the disciples as the father "cries out "I believe, help my unbelief." This is the kind of posture and prayer Jesus seeks from us - He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit but at the same time we must "pray ceaselessly" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that heals and saves! Thank You Jesus! Yet I am undeserving - there are many times where my faith is weak - please help me with my unbelief. And my sin is great...daily. Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from and repent of my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
