Pentecost 17
– Proper 19
September 16, 2018
Mark 9:14-29
Christ
Jesus delivers us from sin, death and the devil.
Jesus descends from the
transfiguration. And meets a defiant demon. An anxious father. An astonished
crowd. And despairing disciples.
Despair threatens to overwhelm our
faith too. By pointing out. How we fail to change or improve. Suggesting. That
God neither cares for us. Nor has power to help. However. Jesus does not linger
in the glory of the transfiguration. But graciously descends. To a world of
despair and doubt. So that He might deliver you.
Lord Jesus Christ, without whose blessing we
are not able to please You, mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may in all
things direct and govern our hearts. Thank You for Your compassion, which
brings You to our world of pain and dismay. Give us faith to overcome our
doubts, and help us believe that all things are possible with You.
It always seems to happen.
Especially. After a hallowed moment. You spend some time away. From the noise
and commotion. From the chaos and confusion.
You find yourself. Refreshed and renewed. Then Bam! It’s back to
reality. After a Superb Sunday. Comes. A Manic Monday. Followed by…A Terrible
Tuesday! Only for things to get worse! On Wednesday!
Peter, James and John. Had just
returned with Jesus. From the mountain top experience of the Transfiguration. A
grand and glorious holy moment. But no sooner had they returned. There was the
crowed. Witnessing yet another argument. Between the scribes and the rest of
Jesus’ disciples. The Master is gone. The experts however. Continue their
debate. With the other disciples. As they fuss and discuss. As they bicker,
bother and fight.
Are there areas of your life that
you cannot control? Are you searching for help? Are you at the right place? Are
you learning to depend more completely on God? Do you rely on God? Even in the
midst of doubt and fear? Is your belief mixed with doubt? Do you struggle? True faith is recognizing your own inability.
You need to know. What you cannot help. And recognizing the Lord’s power to
save and heal. Jesus has the power to
fix problems.
The Search
for help.
“When
they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the
teachers of the law arguing with them.
As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder
and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man
in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a
spirit that has robbed him of speech. 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.” “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.” Vv. 14-19
The demon-possessed boy. Exposes our
natural inability to control our circumstances. Sickness. Poverty. Accidents. And countless other situations. Remind
us of our inability to do anything to save ourselves. Man by his very
nature is powerless against the devil. The devil’s mark on this world can be
seen by all. Who today can stand against the devil and his wiles?
By our very
nature we are found to be blind, dead, and enemies of God. Our sinfulness has
driven a huge wedge between any significant connection between God and our
neighbor. The devil is delighted every single time we take our focus off of
Christ. And make something else of more importance.
Can we be
found guilty arguing about such things? That takes our focus off of the main
reason why we are here? Churches have split apart over such matters as worship
forms. A building design. Personalities, etc. With each claiming to be “more spiritual.” “Committed.” And “godly”
then the rest.
St. Paul’s
encouragement needs to be our chief focus. “I
determine to know nothing among you save, Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
This failure. Exposes the disciples’
inability to do the Spirit’s work with their own power. They had cast out demons before. “And they cast out many demons and anointed
with oil many who were sick and healed them.” (6:12) But this case. Was
more difficult. “And when he had entered
the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
(v.28)
This event comes right after the
mountain top experience of the transfiguration. How soon were they to forget
what they had just experienced?
The Struggle for Faith.
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.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,”
he answered. “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.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus.
“Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father
exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Vv.20-26
Jesus is able
to heal. Restore. And destroy.
Jesus alone is
able to destroy. The spirit shook
the young man violently. It threw him into convulsions. It shrieked as it came
out. The crowd thought he was dead. As he lay lifeless on the ground. How many
thought to themselves – “Fool! Idiot! Serves him right! Turning his son over to
that itinerate preacher!” Yet Jesus alone is able to heal. The boy is returned
to his father whole.
Jesus alone is
able to restore. How long had this
family had to live not knowing? Not knowing. When the demon would seize him
next. Not knowing. How the spirit would try to destroy him. Imagine. Not
knowing. What the day would bring. Imagine. Not being able to plan for tomorrow.
Because you are so overwhelmed. By the circumstances of today! Imagine. Not
even knowing. There would be a tomorrow. And if there were a tomorrow. - How
would it turn out to be?
The young man
is healed. At the Savior’s command –
Restored. Redeemed. Forgiven! Read
the text again. Jesus takes His disciples aside to show them the “big picture.”
“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed
into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days He will rise.”
(v.32) That. My friends. Is where the victory took place. That is where your
redemption was won. - For you. – At the cross and open tomb.
Of course, the
disciples couldn’t understand it. –And neither can you. Unless you are focused
on Christ. The words of Jesus spoken then - are directed to you this day – “Everything is possible for him who believes!”
And how do you respond? “Lord I believe!
Help me overcome my unbelief!” Kyrie
Eleison!
Trust. Is often mixed with fear and
doubt. The man shows trust by bringing his son. But he shows apprehension and
doubt. By saying, “If you are able…” Jesus
addressed the man’s doubts and fears. “Everything
is possible for one who believes.”
The man speaks the confession of
faith
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Christ has the ability to control what you cannot control. “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.” The spirit
shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a
corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted
him to his feet, and he stood up.” Vv. 25-27
Jesus could heal the boy. No one
else could heal.
Our inability is linked to our
failure to rely completely on God. Remember the explanation to the 1st
Commandment. “We should fear, love and
trust in God above all things.” At
least the boy’s father was forthright. He admitted his doubts and fears. The
disciples. Were brazen and blatant. Brash in their confidence. And
self-reliance. “After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why
couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer
and fasting.” Vv. 28-29
The disciples. Who had been with
Jesus throughout these many years. Just didn’t get it. This man. This anxious
father. Despite his flaws. Hung in there. Believing. Even in the midst of his
doubts and fears.
This man’s prayer. Mixed with fear
and faith. Speaks to us today. “Lord I
believe. Help me in my unbelief.” Help me when I struggle. Help me when I’m
facing misery. Fear. And doubt. Help me when the way is not so clear. And the
future unknown. Help me. When my back is up against the wall. And there seems
to be no way out. Lord I believe. – Have
mercy Lord! – Rescue and save!
_______________
Words -1,525
Passive Sentences -4%
Readability -81.6%
Reading Level -3.5
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