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5. Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit (Mark 9:14-29)
MARK 9:14-29
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, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. 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 come 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 Having cried out, and convulsed 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, except by prayer and fasting.”
When Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration, a man came with his sick son to the other disciples asking them to heal him. But they could not, for an unclean spirit possessed the sick son. This spirit neither obeyed the disciples, nor left his poor victim. From this event, we may observe that freedom from the devil’s bondage cannot be realized by any man or saint, but by Jesus Christ alone. So, do not build your faith and hope on men, priests, clergymen, or bishops, but directly on Jesus alone. He is the Lord and the Almighty who is near to you, who listens to your prayers and wants to help and save you.
Jesus rebuked his disciples with the believers around them because of their spiritual weakness, which he did not consider as little faith, but faithlessness. We all hold the traditions of men and the temptation of pride, and this is why the power of God does not come out of us to save others. Be aware that your mind, sentiments, and wishes cannot save anyone. Repent of your weak faith, and know that the reason for your spiritual weakness is earthly thought, and the firm hold of worldly things, in spite of apparent godliness.
Jesus explained to the father of the sick boy that he could help him if he believed in him. Those who believe in Jesus experience what is impossible, for the mighty Jesus works through their weaknesses. Do not forget that the Almighty Son of God is filled with love. Your faith in him connects you with the power of heaven, which is present among us in the gospel. He, who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him. When the father heard the only condition to have his son healed, he cried out with tears of repentance: “O Lord, let my faith be increased that I may not appear as an unbeliever.” Jesus does not reject a confession from a broken heart, but he strengthens our faith if we ask him, and confirms our trust in him, for true faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Whoever reads the gospel prayerfully, seeking knowledge, love, and power, receives what he asks, recognizes Jesus in his truth, and clings to him humbly, with living waters flowing out of him. When Christ cured the father of his faithlessness, and led him to a living faith in him, he commanded the unclean spirit to go out of the demon-possessed son and never enter him again.
From this miracle, we learn two things: first, that Jesus is able and willing to cast out every unclean spirit, along with other sins, to help those who give themselves up to him. Second, that the evil spirit may come again into him who became free from his wickedness, unless the Spirit of the Lord has dwelt and possessed him. Satan often endeavors to draw us away from Christ’s authority. However, he cannot snatch us from his hand, for the power of Christ is greater than all temptations to those who love Jesus, and study his word.
Jesus took the boy whom he had freed from the evil spirit. He gave life to him, and delivered him to his faithful father. The faith of the father saved the son. Do you wish to believe in the power of Jesus, which can deliver your friends and relatives from the devil’s possession? Is your love strong enough that you believe not only for yourself, but also for your friends?
PRAYER: O Father, we thank you with all our hearts because you sent your only Son to our wicked world, to teach us true faith. We confess our weak faith. It is, in fact, faithlessness, and distrust in you. Please forgive us this sin. Give us firm confidence in your omnipotent love. Strengthen our love for others that we may pray faithfully for their salvation. Accept our pleas. Save them. Deliver them. Change them as you gave us salvation and redemption. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What was the obstacle against the healing of the sick boy?
A verse to memorize:
“All things are possible to him who believes.”
(Mark 9:23)