One of the most painful and distressing things a parent can go through is when their child is very sick or has something terribly wrong with them, and there is nothing that they can do to help them. Such trials will really test one’s faith. In our Scripture for today, Mark tells of the account of a father and his son who had a demon who was binding him in a terrible condition. Let’s take a look.
As our passage opens, the Transfiguration had just occurred, while Jesus was away with three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John. As He came back into the village, He saw the remainder of His disciples arguing with the scribes. Jesus proceeded to ask them what was going on (vs. 14-16). At that time a very distraught father came up to Him, and told Him about his son (vs. 17-22). His son had been possessed by a demon for many years, which would throw him into a terrible state. This terrible demon often even tried to kill him by throwing him into water and into fire at times, possibly leaving him badly disfigured. The father had brought his son to the disciples to have them cast it out. Despite having previously cast out demons on a number of occasions, the disciples were unable to do so this time. Not only did this leave the father and son in the same terrible condition, it stirred up arguments with the scribes.
This father loved his son. He so desperately wanted and needed help for him, but the disciples had failed. He came begging Jesus for help. “If you can do anything, help me!” he said. The faith that he had when he first came to the disciples had taken a terrible beating, and was dropping now. Could Jesus do anything? His disciples had failed. The problem is not in what Jesus can do. Jesus can do everything. He is God. The problem is in what we believe He can do. Don’t let the failures of other believers destroy our faith in Jesus. We need to look beyond their failures, Satan’s antics, and our disappointments. The devil can’t come up with a problem in our life that God can’t solve!
The father knew that his faith was faltering right then (vs. 24). His son was growing worse by the moment, and his hopes had been dashed with the disciples' failure to help. Now, face to face with Jesus, he acknowledged that his faith was weak. The father had some faith, mixed with doubt. He did believe, but was not strong, and not always certain, like we often are. He prayed that Jesus would strengthen his weakened faith, and Jesus was not put off by the man’s humble and honest plea.
As Jesus came up to possessed son, with the crowds gathering around, He commanded the demon to leave. Jesus is God, the second Person of the Trinity. He has absolute power over the demonic world. The demon had no choice but to obey Jesus (vs. 25-26). As that strong demon left the boy, he tried one last time to kill him, leaving him lying, seemingly lifeless on the ground. Many thought he was dead. However, Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up (vs. 27). This was more than just a helping hand to get up. Healing power flooded the boy’s body, healing what the demon had damaged.
When they were alone with Jesus, the disciples asked Him why they had been unable to cast this demon out. They had done so before, why had they failed this time? Jesus answered them by saying that this one needed prayer and fasting in order to be cast out (vs. 28-29). Some demons are more powerful and obstinate than others, and more resistant to being cast out. Serious prayer, and often fasting, are needed with some problems, trials, and attacks of Satan in our life. The battle with Satan is a difficult, ongoing struggle. Victory over sin and temptation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through our own effort.
Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our lives. Prayer, often along with fasting, demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite Him to fill us with faith and power. We must spend time in deep prayer, often partnered with fasting, to gain victory over difficult problems we sometimes face. The demon had been in this boy a long time, and there was lack of faith present in the onlookers, and to a lesser degree, with the disciples and father. Facing the evil one requires much prayer and great faith.
There is no question with Jesus’s power. How is our faith? Do we believe? In order to grow stronger spiritually, we must take our eyes off of our circumstances, and look to the Lord. By trusting in His character, and believing in His promises, we can overcome anxiety and develop greater faith, just as this father did.
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