Mark 9:14-29

Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.

Read Mark 9:14-29 keeping the scene on the mountain from yesterday in mind.

This is a story about belief or the lack thereof. The disciples, the father of the boy and the crowd are all caught up in a tug-of-war between faith and doubt. Jesus already gave the disciples the power to cast out demons when he sent them out in Chapter Six, but now they struggle to cast out even one demon from the boy.

What clue can we find about the cause of their wavering faith in the second half of verse 14?

There’s an interesting parallel here to the Old Testament story about God giving the Ten Commandments to Moses. Just as Moses ascended a mountain to meet with God and was gone for some time, Jesus has just been on the mountain away from the disciples (except for Peter, James and John). And just like the Israelite’s faith evaporated while Moses was gone, the disciples’ faith has weakened in Jesus’ absence due to harassment from members of the religious establishment.

And what is the remedy for wavering faith in the presence of opposition? According to Jesus, it’s prayer.

Are you beginning to see Jesus and his teachings in a new and more challenging light? If someone were to encourage you to return to a less challenging version of Jesus, would you be aware enough of his constant presence to turn to him in prayer rather than enter into an argument with the person?

Read Mark 9:14-29 again focusing in on the Father of the boy.

Do you believe that Jesus is fully capable of meeting your deepest needs and the needs of those you love?

How does Jesus’ earlier teaching about letting go of your life in order to find life for your soul affect your ability to trust him with your needs?

Take a few minutes and talk honestly with Jesus about your answers to these questions.

As you end this time, sit in silence in the presence of Jesus and imagine his love and mercy washing over you. If you feel prompted toward an action of any kind, write it down and follow through.

If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.

Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.