Mark 9:14 – “And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them.”

The disciples struggle in the absence of their Lord (Mk. 1:45-52; 6:46-48; 9:14).

Exodus 34:29-35

Mark 9:15-16 – “And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?””

Mark 9:17-18 – “And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”

“Seize,” Gk. καταλαμβάνω (katalambanō), “to lay hold of, to grasp”

“Throw him down,” Gk. ῥήσσω (rhēssō), “to shatter, to break, to burst into pieces”

“Become rigid,” Gk. ξηραίνω (xērainō), “to dry up, to dehydrate”

Tonic-Clonic (Formerly Grand Mal Seizure)

Mark 6:12-13 – “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”

Mark 9:19 – “And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring the boy to me.” (See also: Deut. 32:5; Ps. 78:8; Jer. 7:29)

Mark 9:20-23 – “And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can? All things are possible for one who believes.””

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

John 15:7 – “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

1 John 3:22 – “And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.”

Isaiah 46:9-10 – “I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”

Mark 9:24 – “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!””

Mark 9:25-29 – “And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.””

Truth: Jesus’ help is the object of father’s request. Jesus’ compassion is the object of the father’s hope. Jesus’ power is the source of the boy’s healing.

“Kind,” Gk. γένος (genos), “a taxonomy of species”

Takeaways:
1. The faith of a parent profoundly impacts the well-being of their children.

2. Jesus is Lord on the mountain and in the valley.