Mark 9-10

October 24

Mark 9-10

Can you imagine the pain the father of the boy whom the evil spirit that would throw him to the ground and cause him to convulse. He had tried to protect his son. Keeping away from fire or from bodies of water knowing his son could convulse at any time and it could cost him his life. He loved his son and wanted a “normal” life for his son, but there was little hope in finding a cure. He may have taken him to doctors who said there was nothing they could do. People dismissed it as an evil spirit whom they had no control over. Perhaps he had taken his son to the religious leaders, faith healers, or to snake oil salesmen who promised a cure. Only to come home and see his son have another seizure.

He began to hear about Jesus. Jesus had power where no one else had power. The blind could see, the lame could walk, the deaf could hear, the mute could talk. Perhaps Jesus could touch his son and remove the spirit that was in him. The father and son set out on a journey to find Jesus. They arrive in town only to find out that Jesus and three of his disciples had gone up on a mountain and had not come back down. Some of Jesus’ disciples had seen Jesus at work. Perhaps they had even cast out demons and healed people while traveling with Jesus. They offered to help, but each time they tried to boy went in to convulsions.

Someone may have looked off in the distance and recognized Jesus, Peter, James and John coming toward them. The crowd ran to greet Jesus. The father came to Jesus and told his story. Jesus had them bring Him the boy who went into convulsions as he came near Jesus. The father almost begging now, at the end of his options cries out to Jesus; “if you can do anything take pity on us and help us.” Jesus answers; “If you can. Everything is possible for him who believes.” The Father cried out; “I do believe; help me in my unbelief!”

When we cry out in prayer often we are like this father, we are at the end of our rope. The choices have slowly disappeared and the only option left is prayer. Perhaps we should have gone to Jesus sooner, but we didn’t. We weren’t sure about the power in prayer for our situation. We believe, but we need help in our unbelief. We know in part of our minds that God can do whatever we ask, but we still lack faith that He will.

Jesus commanded the spirit to come out and never go back and the boy was healed. God’s power and the man’s faith combined to bring healing and hope to a father and son.