❖ Video
❖ Audio
Confession of Unfaith
(Mark 9:14-29)
Mari Ikeda
A. The reality of the world contrasting to the mountaintop: hostility, disappointment, suffering (14-19)
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. 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 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
B. Jesus’ intervention
1. He wants us to confess our suffering (20-22)
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.”
2. He wants us to confess our unbelief (23-24)
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
3. He raises us from dead (25-27)
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure 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.
C. To seek His help in our unbelief is the true prayer and the faith (28-29)
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.”
Summary
The faith to believe in Jesus is not to keep our state always full of hope. There are times when we get distressed at the reality and even lose hope in Jesus. What Jesus wants us is not to discard all the unbelief we may have, but instead is to still seek His help in the midst of the unbelief. “True faith is always aware how small and inadequate it is.” That is also the way a true prayer should be.
For Discussion
Share with others your experience that you asked (or are asking) Jesus’ help like this father did.