October 13

Any parent who truly loves their children can readily identify with the desperation of the father whose son had possessed a demon since he was a baby, or maybe a toddler. The dad had heard marvelous stories of Jesus casting out demons and he dared to believe that maybe the Master could do the same for his son. But, Jesus was up on the mountain with Peter, James, John, Moses, and Elijah when the dad came to Jesus’ other disciples. Unfortunately, none of Jesus’ disciples had the faith to cast the demon out of the boy. When Jesus showed up, the father immediately approached him. Notice the father’s request. “Have mercy on us, and help us. Do something if you can” (Mark 9:22). This was not just his son’s problem. As Paul stated in I Corinthians 12, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it” (vs.26). “Help us!” the father pleaded. “What do you mean, ‘if I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes” Without hesitation the father replied, “I do believe, but help me not to doubt!” (Mark 9:23&24).
Can you relate to the father’s plight? How many times do we believe God is able to do something, and yet still have a shred of doubt as to whether He wants to? Apparently, the disciples didn’t have enough faith or they would have cast the demon out of the boy. Interest-ingly enough, another man had been successfully casting out demons in Jesus’ name. But, since he didn’t belong to the Twelve, John was ready to rebuke him. Was John truly trying to protect the integrity of those who followed Jesus or was he jealous because this man was doing what they were not? Sounds like the latter, but only Jesus knows John’s motivation for sure. Jesus assured his disciples that this man’s faith qualified him as a disciple more than he would be disqualified because he hadn’t traveled with their group (Mark 9:38-41; Luke 9:49&50).
Awe gripped the people as they saw Jesus display the power of God (Lk.9:43). “With faith as small as a mustard seed, you will move mountains. Nothing will be impossible” to those with faith (Matt.17:20). How big is your faith? Big enough to see the awesome power of Jesus Christ on display? If not, why not?