Faith for Healing

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.
15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.

vs 14-16 What other disciples is verse 14 referring to? Why would God allow these events to happen while Jesus was away?

While Peter, James and John were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, the other disciples had their own encounter, but not with glory but with problems. They could not heal a young boy and the teachers of the law seized on this opportunity to debate with them about their authority. These other disciples had an important lesson to learn about faith. Sometimes we learn best through our failures instead of our successes. This is what the disciples were faced with.

Matthew Henry comments, "Christ's return to his disciples, and the perplexity he found them in. He laid aside his robes of glory, and came to look after his family, and to enquire what was become of them. Christ's glory above does not make him forget the concerns of his church below, which he visits in great humility. And he came very seasonably, when the disciples were embarrassed and run a-ground...."

17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

vs 17-19 What is the meaning of Jesus’ rebuke in verse 19? How are we an unbelieving generation?

The disciples and perhaps others are rebuked for their lack of faith. In a way we are also an unbelieving generation. We even have Christians today who doubt some of the miracles of Christ. Certainly many people do not believe that God hears our prayer or can heal today.

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered.
22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

vs 20-21 Why would Jesus ask this question? How would you feel if it were your child?

Jesus wanted the father to get involved in this healing. So he asked the question. The father was desperate just as we would be if it were our own child. He came to search out Jesus, and now the disciples were ineffective. It must have been a time of great frustration for this parent. Jesus wanted the man to get his attention off of the disciples’ failed efforts and onto the power of God.

23 "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

vs 23 What does verse 23 mean to you? What role does faith have in healing? Would you have faith to believe that the boy would be healed?

Throughout the Bible we are taught the importance of faith. Jesus makes a remarkable statement here - everything is possible for him who believes. Do you believe that? Our faith is not in our faith, but rather our faith is in the character of God and the promises in his word. We must learn to believe in God.

Matthew Henry remarks, "Note, In dealing with Christ, very much is put upon our believing, and very much promised it. Canst thou believe? Darest thou believe? Art thou willing to venture thy all in the hands of Christ? To venture all thy spiritual concerns with him, and all thy temporal concerns for him? Canst thou find in thy heart to do this? If so, it is not impossible but that, though thou has been a great sinner, thou mayest be reconciled; though thou art very mean and unworthy, thou mayest get to heaven. If thou canst believe, it is possible that thy hard heart may be softened, thy spiritual diseases may be cured...."

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

vs 24 Why did the father answer Jesus this way? In what way do you believe? In what way do you still need to overcome unbelief?

This father’s reply would probably be our reply also. We want to believe but we have doubts. So the man cries out in faith, "I do believe," but he realized he needs help with his doubts. When we come to God, we will not only be given faith, but we will also receive help to overcome our unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He’s dead."
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

vs 25-27 How did Jesus heal the boy? Why did it appear that the boy had died? Do you believe that God can heal the same way today? Was the father’s faith enough?

Jesus rebuked the evil spirit that had hindered the young boy. To deny that there is evil at work in the world is to be blind to what’s happening around us. But Jesus has overcome all the powers of darkness. He simply spoke the words. The results did not look good. It appeared that the boy had died. Here was an opportunity for the crowd’s faith to be tested. Those that did not have faith said, "he’s dead." But there must have been some who believed Christ’s words. Jesus can heal the same way today.

I think it’s important to notice three things: 1. Jesus said all things are possible to those that believe, 2. the father said he believed but asked for help with his unbelief, 3. the boy was healed which indicates the father’s faith, even with some of his doubts, was enough. When our faith wavers, we need to go to God and ask for help to believe and for help to overcome doubts.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn’t we drive it out?"
29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

vs 28-29 What does the disciples’ question indicate about their attitude? What did Jesus’ reply mean? How much time do you spend praying for others’ healing?

The disciples wanted to learn what they did wrong. This indicates they were genuinely interested in doing whatever it would take to be a servant. But Jesus indicates that some faith only comes through long times of prayer. As we maintain a regular prayer life, our faith grows as we learn more about the character and attributes of God. Jesus’ reply also indicates that we need to spend time in prayer for others. Prayer really does change things. So let us be willing to spend time each week to pray for the needs of others.

MacDonald points out, "...certain miracles require prayer and fasting. Which of us is not faced at times in our Christian service with a sense of defeat and frustration? We have labored tirelessly and conscientiously, yet there has been no evidence of the Spirit of God working in power. We too hear the Savior’s words reminding us...."

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,
31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."
32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

vs 30-31 Why do you think Jesus would talk about his dying immediately after the transfiguration and the healing?

The disciples had just seen Christ transformed on the Mount of Transfiguration and had seen a miraculous healing. Now he speaks of his impending death. He was preparing the disciples for the time when he would no longer be with them and they would have to carry the work on by themselves. Today, we are Christ’s disciples. The work of the church has been committed into our hands. Are we willing to move forward in faith?

Footnotes:



	Mark 9:14-32