mark 9:16-20 :: Jesus heals a boy possessed by an evil spirit (pt 2)

a desperate father seeks out the one Man he nows that can help bring his son back to normal…the only One who can make him whole again. his son needs to be restored, because he has been stolen away. i have no idea how old this kid is, other than he must be younger than 13. so this really is a kid here. a kid has been stolen away, but all the same left in front of his parents. whata torment. so see your child physically in front of you, but unable to communicate, unable to function normally.

they almost would have been better off if he had been in a coma, or truly stolen away, waiting for a rescue. but just like the romans were great at inflicting physical pain, the devil and his cohorts know just where to strike us to get to us down deep. as a parent to watch your child suffer is hard enough, but then not being able to fix the problem, even after searching for solutions and making every effort to remedy the situation would be horrible.

so this desperate dad comes to Jesus seeking resolution for his son’s life. he wants this pain to be over, and to hold his son in his arms again as a whole person, and to hear his voice. but when he finds Jesus’ disciples, they are unable to cast the demon out, and in frustration an argument breaks out. because i’m sure it wasn’t just one of them that tried, but the whole group…each unsuccessful in their attempts. and the boy’s father grows more desperate, and tempers flare and harsh words may have been spoken and no one knows when Jesus is coming back. which increases everyone’s desire to see this done all the more.

the ‘teachers’ of the law are having a hay-day with this…seeing Jesus’ disciples look impotent and foolish. they don’t care about the man or his son. it’s just another tool in their belt for testing Jesus. they were not looking for success or hopeful for the boy’s recovery. they just want to see to it that they are proved right. so on top of the failed exorcisms, they start badgering the disciples with questions and problems.

in the midst of all this desperation and scrambling, questions and arguments, Jesus and the trio come walking down the hill. it is no wonder that everyone was glad to see Him coming.

once in the midst of the bedlam, Jesus is not pleased with what is happening, and it’s at this point i wish there was some way for us to hear the tone in His voice when He speaks. is He sad, frustrated, angry, pity filled? what emotion comes from His heart into this situation.

pity for the son and his father. frustration with the disciples and anger toward the so-called ‘teachers’ who could be some help, but just won’t.

so, Jesus has the boy brought to Him where upon arrival/delivery the evil spirit inside him starts to show its teeth, by thrashing the boy around one last time, with full theatrics, hoping to add to the confusion and wounded hearts…

Jesus is not unsympathetic, but does all things in love and in accordance with God’s will and purpose.

this boy needs help, and he needs it now. this isn’t a hidden sin, some secret indicretion, but an issue of needing a savior. beyond all hope of human help, beyond the ways and means of men, this boy needs a savior, and Jesus is the only one who can redeem him and restore his life.

we see this over and over again, where we cannot do all this on our own. Peter knew it, he knew he was incapable on his own and would come up short every time, and he passed that sentiment on through mark with the Spirit’s guidance.  we need Jesus today to get through all the little things just as much as this boy needed Jesus to get him through this horrible ordeal. no matter how big or little the problem may seem, Jesus is our guide and comforter, and He can get us through it all.