When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so." He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!" After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer."
The father of the possessed boy says, “I believe; help my unbelief!” This passage takes place immediately after Jesus, Peter, James, and John come down from the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them. They return to the disciples who are trying to cast a demon out of a boy. However, the disciples are not able to exorcise the demon.
This passage shows the abilities of disciples who are trying to act out their faith. Obviously, it is a problem for them. Jesus seems frustrated with what he calls a “faithless generation.” I don’ t think Jesus says this to belittle them, but to set them straight on their actions. I have a feeling that they were trying to reenact the miraculous “dog and pony” show that the people are always asking for – what they think proves the power of God. Their “actions” didn’t work because they were not backed by prayer.
Of course, Jesus is able to easily restore the boy to perfect health by casting out the demon. It looks like he does this prior to the arrival of the crowd. This would be exactly what we would expect of Jesus at this point, trying not to draw too much more attention to himself.
The call that I hear today is pray. Prayer builds and guides belief. A healthy prayer life becomes a centering force that strengthens you and guides your actions. Prayer becomes a part of everything that you do as you seek to be closer to God. We would just pour out our heart and mind and make ourselves vulnerable to God. In prayer we make ourselves a receiver for the divine word that may come to us.
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