JULY 24, 2023 – FAITH AND UNBELIEF

READ: Mark 9:14-29

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”- Mark 9:23,24 

The transfiguration on the mountain was a tremendous encouragement for the disciples. It was meant to strengthen them and to accept Christ’s path of suffering. But how is their faith now? Can they, in faith on behalf of Him, cast out demons as He promised them during their sending out in Mark 6:7? Yes, initially they were able to do that (6:13). But haven’t they often doubted Jesus’ power and path of redemption (6:52; 8:17; 8:33)? 

The crowd as well as the scribes see Him as a miracle worker, but true faith was lacking. Jesus finds His disciples in a heated discussion with a large crowd and scribes. It turns out to be about the disciples’ inability to cast out an unclean spirit from a boy. Upon inquiry, the boy’s father comes forward. His son is truly in a very bad condition. In front of Jesus’ eyes, the boy, who was brought along, immediately demonstrates how the demon torments him with terrible convulsions and suffering. The crowd sees this as a failure of Jesus’ followers and, in fact, of Jesus Himself. 

But Jesus points out the real cause: there is insufficient faith! Among the crowd, the scribes, the father (vs. 22b: “something”), but also His own disciples (vs. 29). It deeply concerns Jesus: “O faithless generation, how long shall I bear with you?” In response to the father’s plea to Jesus to heal his son Himself, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of genuine faith. With true faith, anything is possible. 

Then Jesus Himself heals the boy, but only after the father confesses his faith in Jesus and implores Him to help his unbelief. Let us also continue to offer such a plea and not doubt.

How certain are you of the omnipotence of Christ?

Singing: Ps. 27:1