We Need Jesus.

Do we need Jesus? In this story the disciples discover that they need Jesus. They find out that they must depend on Him. We must do the same.

Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit                          

I’d like to read from Mark, chapter 9:

“‘Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.  And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So, I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able …  But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.’  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ … (Jesus) rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’ … And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’  And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.’”   

Mark 9:17-18, 22-25, 28-29 ESV

Jesus Tested in the Wilderness

On a wilderness mountain, Satan showed Jesus the glory of the world and offered Jesus kingdoms that were not Satan’s to give. Satan was sly and fake, trying to look good and fool Jesus.  Now, Jesus is at the bottom of a very different mountain, called “Transfiguration”, where he shone with glory brighter than the sun. Satan is also at the bottom of that mountain, but this time he is showing what he is really all about. His evil purpose is to wreck the image of God in man. 

A Demon Possessed Boy

He has done just about everything but kill the boy. This is the sad history of the demon-possessed boy: The demon violently seizes the boy [Mk 9:39] and throws him to the ground, making him foam at the mouth. The boy grinds down his own teeth and becomes rigid. [Mk 9:18] Again and again, the demon tosses him like garbage into fire or water. [Mt 17:15] Burns cover him in scars.

It gets worse — the spirit has made him deaf and mute. [Mk 9:17, 25] It’s as if his world is a fishbowl — he can see what’s all around his demon-wrecked body, but he cannot hear or speak to the world around him.

The Disciples Can’t Figure it Out

The disciples can’t figure out why they can’t cast out this demon.  Maybe they think that the power over demons that Jesus gave them is now built-in, and they can turn it on or off whenever they want.  They can’t.  That is way too often how I think when a tough situation comes up. Where are the smarts and skill to handle it?  In me.

Take a look at me. Do I look like I’m able to handle a demon? I do not have power in myself to do anything spiritual. Nudge someone into the kingdom of God? Not even an inch. Convict someone of sin by my words?  No. Comfort a sad person without the Holy Spirit. Not at all.

Recognizing Our Dependence on Jesus

So, what do I need to do? What do you need to do? God’s power in the disciples comes directly from him. They need to recognize their dependence on Him. Jesus says they need to pray. We need to pray. Jesus’ prayer life shows that even he was dependent on the Father. Think of his prayer in Gethsemane:

“My Father, not as I will, but as you will.”

Matt 26:39

On the Glory Mountain

As Jesus gives this boy a new life and leaves this mountain of his shining glory, we should remind ourselves what he is about to lose. On that glory mountain, Jesus was surrounded by God’s glorious presence. On Calvary’s mountain, God will forsake him. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus himself was glorious. On Calvary, he will be disgraced. On the glory mountain, Jesus was held up for worship. At Calvary, he will be held up for mockery and cursing. 

Why will he do that?  Because there are others Jesus wants to rescue and give new life: You.  Me.

Jesus says, “The thief, (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” [John 10:10] Jesus will die, “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” [Hebrews 2:14] How can we be saved from sin and Satan? “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” [Acts 16:31]

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