Strengthens

The prelude - a “mountaintop experience”; Jesus and his inner circle return from the mount of transfiguration.

In the world - can you go from mountain top to another directly, without leaving the mountain and going into the valley first?

Metaphorically, what usually follows a “mountaintop experience”?

1. The Challenge

Mark 9:14–20 CSB

14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes disputing with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were amazed and ran to greet him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing with them about?” 17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.” 19 He replied to them, “You unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

v.14 “scribes disputing” with the disciples - over what?

Jesus’ relationship to the law

Jesus’ identity

v.15 “they were amazed” - at Jesus’ sudden appearance

v.16 “He asked them” (the disciples) - what are you arguing with them about?

v.17 “Someone from the crowd” - an opportunistic response! A man whose son was demon-possessed

v. 18 The disciples were not able to drive it out

v. 19 Jesus’ response:

You unbelieving generation (who?)

How long will I be with you?

How long must I put up with you?

On the surface - Jesus’ words seemed harsh; who was he talking to, though? Commentators are divided; many assume that Jesus’ response is to the disciples, or includes the disciples.

Mark Original Meaning

This lament expresses his exasperation at an unbelieving, quarrelsome crowd

How did Jesus respond to the disciples in the garden when they fell asleep? “Could you not watch with me one hour?”

But even if the disciples are being addressed here:

Mark Original Meaning

“How long?” does not convey a wish to be rid of inept disciples but refers to how little time he has left to soften their hardheartedness and to acquaint them more fully with the power that can expel evil. Time is short

v.20 The evil spirit “threw the boy into convulsions”

2. The Admission

Mark 9:21–24 CSB

21 “How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father. “From childhood,” he said. 22 “And many times it has thrown him into fire or 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’? Everything is possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

v.21 “How long has this been happening?” An interesting question. Perhaps this shows Jesus’ care, compassion for the man.

v.22 “If you can do anything” - shows a measure of doubt, which is perhaps understandable. Jesus’ disciples had already failed in their attempt at healing.

v.23 “Everything is possible for the one who believes”

In what context? Those coming to Jesus

Mark 5:34 “34 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed from your affliction.””

Mark 5:36 “36 When Jesus overheard what was said, he told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.””

v.24 “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

The Gospel according to Mark Frail Faith in a Strong Savior (9:14–29)

True faith is always aware how small and inadequate it is. The father becomes a believer not when he amasses a sufficient quantum of faith but when he risks everything on what little faith he has, when he yields his insufficiency to the true sufficiency of Jesus

3. The Demonstration

Mark 9:25–29 CSB

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you: Come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 Then it came out, shrieking and throwing him into terrible convulsions. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. 28 After he had gone into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 And he told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer.”

v.25 “Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering” - his intent was not to create a spectacle, and to draw attention to himself

v.26 “throwing him into terrible convulsions” - the demon was determined to do his worst

v.27 “raised him” - possibly even from the dead!

v.28 “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” - a natural question

v.29 “by nothing but prayer”; not “prayer and fasting” (KJV) because of manuscript evidence.

Why else? Mark 2:19 “19 Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.”

What was Jesus’ habit? Getting up early, going to a solitary place

When were the disciples known for their prayer? Or for their lack of prayer?

I may not understand it, but prayer is needed for spiritual work.

Exodus 17:9–13 “9 Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword.”

Applications

God is pleased with our faith

God’s work cannot proceed without prayer