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Commentaries
English
Mark
  
5. Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit
(Mark 9:14-29)
14And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.15Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.16And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”17Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.18And wherever he seizes him, he throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast him out, but they could not.”19He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.”20Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.21So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.22And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”23Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”26Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.”27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.28And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast him out?”29So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”


When Jesus was of the mount of transfiguration, a man came with his sick son to the remaining disciples asking them to heal him. But they could not, for an unclean spirit possessed the sick son. This spirit neither obeyed the disciples, nor left his poor prey. From this event, we may observe that freedom from the devil’s bondage cannot be realized by any man or saint, but by Jesus Christ alone. So, do not build your faith and hope on men, priests, clergymen, or bishops, but directly on Jesus alone. He is the Lord and the Almighty who is near to you, who listens to your prayers and wants to help and save you.
Jesus rebuked his disciples with the believers around them because of their spiritual weakness, which he did not consider as little faith, but faithlessness. We all hold the traditions of men and the temptation of haughtiness, and this is why the power of God does not come out of us to save the others. Be aware that your mind, sentiments, and wishes cannot save anyone. Repent of your weak faith, and know that the reason for your spiritual weakness is the earthly thought, and the firm hold of earthly things in spite of the apparent godliness.
Jesus clarified to the father of the sick boy that he could help him if he believed in him. He who believes in Jesus experiences what is impossible, for the mighty Jesus works through his weakness. Do not forget that the Almighty Son of God is filled with love. Your faith in him connects you with the power of heaven, which is present among us in the gospel. He, who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him. When the father heard the only condition to have his son healed, he cried out with tears of repentance: “O Lord, let my faith be increased that I may not appear as an unbeliever.” Jesus does not reject a confession out of a broken heart, but he strengthens our faith if we ask him, and he confirms our trust in him, for true faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Whoever reads the gospel prayerfully, seeking knowledge, love, and power receives what he asks, recognizes Jesus in his truth, and clings to him humbly, with living waters flowing out of him. When Christ cured the father of his faithlessness, and led him to a living faith in him, he commanded the unclean spirit to go out of the demon-possessed and never enter him again.
From this miracle, we learn two things: first, that Jesus is able and prepared to cast every unclean spirit together with the residues of our sins out of him who gives himself up to him. Second, that the evil spirit may come again into him who became free from his wickedness, unless the Spirit of the Lord has dwelt and possessed him. Satan often endeavors to draw us away from Christ’s authority. However, he cannot snatch us from his hand, for the power of Christ is greater than all temptations in those who love Jesus, and read his word with interest.
Jesus took the boy whom he had freed from the evil spirit. He gave life to him, and delivered him to his faithful father. The faith of the father saved the son. Do you wish to believe in the power of Jesus, which can deliver your friends and relatives from the devil’s possession? Is your love strong enough that you believe not only for yourself, but also for releasing your friends?

Prayer
O Father, we thank you with all our hearts because you sent your only Son to our wicked world, to teach us true faith. We confess our weak faith. It is, in fact, faithlessness, and distrust in you. Please forgive us this sin. Create in us firm confidence in your omnipotent love. Strengthen our love to others that we may sacrifice faithfully for their salvation. Accept our crying: Save them. Deliver them. Change them as you gave us salvation and redemption. Amen.
Question
What was the obstacle against the healing of the sick boy?