The Disciples Are Helpless & Ineffective
August 22, 2020
Commentary
A large crowd gathered around Jesus, and the disciples were arguing with the scribes (vv. 14–16). When the people saw Jesus, they were amazed and ran to greet Him. A father came with deep pain, as his son was suffering under the control of an evil spirit (vv. 17–22). He had asked the disciples to help, but they were unable to cast it out. This revealed their weakness and lack of power, reminding us how easily we can fail when we depend on our-selves instead of God, and forget to seek His strength through prayer and daily trust in Him always.
The father then turned to Jesus and said, “If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us” (v. 22). Jesus responded, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (v. 23). The father cried out with honesty, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (v. 24). Jesus then rebuked the un-clean spirit, and the boy was healed (vv. 25–27), showing His authority and compassion toward those who come to Him in faith, even when their faith feels weak and uncertain in difficult moments. He honors honest hearts that seek Him with humble trust. He welcomes even a small growing faith.
Later, the disciples asked why they could not cast it out (v. 28). Jesus answered, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer” (v. 29). Their failure was not due to lack of effort, but lack of dependence on God. This passage reminds us that true spiritual power comes from a close relationship with God. Without prayer and trust in Him, we become ineffective. God calls us to stay near to Him, so that our lives reflect not just words, but His power working through us daily, bringing change, hope, and strength to those who are around us. We must remain connected to Him through prayer and faith each day.
Application
I examine my dependence on God. Do I try to serve in my own strength? Do I bring my struggles honestly to Jesus? Do I pray and trust Him daily? When my faith feels weak, do I still come to Him? Am I walking closely with You? I am relying on You, to remain faithful in prayer, and trust Your power to work through my life.
Mark 9:14–29 (NET)
14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and experts in the law arguing with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were amazed and ran at once and greeted him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 A member of the crowd said to him, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that makes him mute. 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 cast it out, but they were not able to do so.” 19 He answered them, “You unbelieving generation! How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I endure you? Bring him to me.” 20 So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Then Jesus said to him, “‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 Now when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 It shrieked, threw him into terrible convulsions, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus gently took his hand and raised him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 Then, after he went into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” 29 He told them, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
After Prayer The Power Will be On
I once heard the story of an organist who was getting ready to play as the church service began. When he put his hands on the keys there was no sound. Everyone knew something was wrong, so the preacher quickly got up and led in prayer. The janitor … Continue