Mark 9:17-18 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
(Prayer)
Satan had amazing power during the time that Christ walked and taught on earth. He overpowered the disobedient and afflicted people with diseases and possessed a number of individuals. Our subject today displays one of these possessions and displays the power and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I. Let's look at the obsessed. He was a youth, and his affliction is described in verse 9:18.
1. HE WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK- that is why they called it a dumb spirit.
2. HE WAS LIABLE TO VIOLENT CONVULSIONS-he foamed at the mouth and gnashed his teeth and tore at his body. 3. HIS FLESH AND STRENGTH WERE WEARING AWAY-he pineth away. It's added that he's been like this since a child in verse 21.
II. The person of the applicant verse 17. was the father of the afflicted. “I have brought unto thee, my son.” This displays the love and compassion of the father. Notice the conduct of the fater.
1. THE MISTAKE HE ORIGINALLY COMMITED- verse 18,” I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out” he went to the disciples for healing other than Jesus. We do the same sometimes, going to man instead of Christ.
2. HE THEN WENT TO JESUS-his error is now corrected. He went to the only one that can heal-Jesus said in Matthew 28:18,” All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. 3. HE DESCRIBES THE SUFFERINGS OF HIS CHILD- in verse 22, the suffering and torture he went through.
4. HE APPEALS FOR RELIEF- in verse 22, he identifies the suffering of his child with himself, and appeals for relief. ”have compassion on us”. It's evident that he had some doubt as he said, “but if thou canst do any thing”.
III. THE CONDUST OF JESUS-He already rebuked the disciples for lack of faith in verse 19. He ordered the child to him and inquired of particulars of his sufferings, in verse 21. After hearing the earnest and tender appeal of from the father, He rolls it all back with the responsibility on the father's faith. Jesus said in verse 23, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. As to say,
1. IN ME THERE IS AN EFFICIENCY OF POWER-Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
2. IN ME THERE IS amplitude of efficacy- which is results. There is virtue enough in me to heal all. 1Peter 5:10, “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all”.
3. IN ME THERE IS GRACiousness of disposition-Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
IV. THE HUMBLE PRAYERFUL FAITH OF THE FATHER- he felt as if the whole weight of the responsibility rested on himself. He collected all the confidence of his soul and,
1. AFFIRMED HIS FAITH- verse 24, Lord, I believe;
2. HE ADMITTED HIS UNBELIEFS- Lord, help thou mine unbelief.
V. THE MIRICLE OF THE SAVIOR- Jesus charged the devil to come out in verse 25, “Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” Satan struggled to remain hold in Verse 26. “And the spirit cried, and rent him sore,” Christ overcame him in verse 27, “But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. The father and child learned;
1. THE CHARCTER OF THE DEVIL- it is his work to curse, and to torture and to destroy.
2. THE GRACIOUS SAVING POWER OF THE REDEEMER- He can deliver and he delights to do so.
3. THE MIGHTY EFFICACY OF FAITH- Faith honors Christ, and Christ will honor and meet the cries of believing, preserving supplication.
