Bring the boy to me
“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. –Mark 9:16 (NIV)
After being transfigured and validated by His Father, Jesus descended the mountain with Peter, James, and John. In stark contrast to the wonder they'd just experienced, the four friends were about to encounter a demonic commotion. Maybe it’s just where my head is this week, but I find a thread in Mark chapter 9 that runs from verse 19 through verse 24 and down to verse 29.
The scene at the base of the mountain involved a desperate father, some well-intentioned but helpless disciples, some opportunistic and quarrelsome scribes, and a son who was possessed by an evil spirit. Everything humanly possible had been done to help the boy, to no avail. Jesus’ response to the situation identified the problem and provided the solution.
“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.” –Mark 9:19 (NIV)
The ensuing conversation between Jesus and the father suggests that dad was hopeful, though not necessarily optimistic. His confession is profound – he wants to believe but cannot quite bring himself to do so. You almost get the sense this isn’t the first “holy man” he has taken his son to. He appeals to Jesus for a stronger faith and Jesus demonstrates both His power and His grace by casting the demon out.
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” –Mark 9:24 (NIV)
In the debrief with His disciples, they wanted to know what they did wrong. They had experience healing in Jesus’ name, of casting out evil spirits by His power. Why had they been ineffective in this case? Was this a varsity demon compared to their earlier outings going against the satanic "B" team? Jesus answered with a reminder of how monumentally crucial it is for His followers to maintain an awareness of their dependence on Him.
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” –Mark 9:29 (NIV)
There are the three verses. Here’s my thread: I have four children. All are at different points in a journey of questioning and redefining the faith they grew up with. As a dad, that’s a point of both pain and consternation. Every impulse of my being screams, “Do something!” Attempts to discuss the situation have proved mostly awkward and occasionally disastrous.
Could it be that my need to fix the situation is a reflection of my unbelief? Or that part of my angst is due to the pride of wanting to redeem whatever reputation I ever had as a “good father”? I’ve given the situation to God dozens of times, but like a scab that needs picking, my mind can't seem to leave it alone. I’m confident the final chapter has not yet been written for my children. And I reckon God can and will use the experience to teach this old dog another new trick or two. In the meantime, I've committed to:
Bring the child to Jesus.
Confess that my faith is still a work in progress.
Continue to pray persistently, depending on God, knowing I cannot effect an outcome.
And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in His arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but Him who sent me.” –Mark 9:36-37 (NIV)