Jesus Authority over Demons

TODAY’S AIM

Facts: to get a clearer picture of the role of faith in our daily Christian lives.

Principle: to understand the power of faith in God to change situations.

Application: to pray with greater confidence in the power of the Lord for a current struggle.

Mark 9:14–29 (KJV 1900)

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

This text has allusions to Moses meeting with God on the Mount and the dysfunction that occured in his absence. Like Moses, Jesus must deal with the failure of those he left in charge once he comes down from the mountain (Ex 24:14; 32:1–8, 21–25, 35).

16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

Jesus addressed the scribes. He came to the defense of his disciples as he does now. Sometimes our inability can be a reflection on our father if we are not careful. We must allow him to come to our defense through the spirit.

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

What responsibility did they disciples have to the multitude. They are disputing (arguing, debating, questioning)

18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

The disciples failed.

The rebuked the spirit in Jesus name but nothing happened. This battle drew the multitude.

There was a consensus about the nature of the issue. In today’s world there is much skepticism about when a demon is present. The question was not is it a demon? The question was why can’t you cast it out?

19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.