Mark 9
14-15 Then as they rejoined the other disciples, they saw that they were surrounded by a large crowd, and that some of the scribes were arguing with them. As soon as the people saw Jesus, they ran forward excitedly to welcome him.16 “What is the trouble?” Jesus asked them.17-18 A man from the crowd answered, “Master, I brought my son to you because he has a dumb spirit. Wherever he is, it gets hold of him, throws him down on the ground and there he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth. It’s simply wearing him out. I did speak to your disciples to get them to drive it out, but they hadn’t the power to do it.”
19 Jesus answered them, “Oh, what a faithless people you are! How long must I be with you, how long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.”
20 So they brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it convulsed the boy, who fell to the ground and writhed there, foaming at the mouth.
21 “How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked the father.
22 “Ever since he was a child,” he replied. “Again and again it has thrown him into the fire or into water to finish him off. But if you can do anything, please take pity on us and help us.”
23 “If you can do anything!” retorted Jesus. “Everything is possible to the man who believes.”
24 “I do believe,” the boy’s father burst out. “Help me to believe more!”
25 When Jesus noticed that a crowd was rapidly gathering, he spoke sharply to the evil spirit, with the words, “I command you, deaf and dumb spirit, come out of this boy, and never go into him again!”
Our text opens up by telling us Jesus walked into a conflict scene. I don’t know about you but that excites me! If he could do it back then, I am confident he will do it again – he can walk right into my battles and fight for me, he can step in to defend me when I am weak and speak on my behalf – He can sort my mess out! Halleluyah, he can and will! Jesus asked, what is the trouble? Friend, he’s asking you today – WHAT is the TROUBLE?
The boy’s father began to describe his son’s condition which is a typical symptom of Epilepsy. Epilepsy is condition of the nervous system involving disruption to the nerve cell activity of the brain.The nervous system is very vital in that helps all the parts of the body to communicate with each other. Without it, the body would not be able to function.
Can you imagine what this boy was suffering? You may not have epilepsy in real sense however you are facing situations epileptic in nature such as violent fits – You don’t mean to but often times you find yourself in a state of incoordination, agitation, commotion, devastation, distraction and dysfunction. You recognize the lack of order in your health, home, finances, career, and life in general; one day you’re up and another you’re down, sometimes you feel good and most times very bad. You don’t want to but because you can’t control it, you just throw a fit. You lose it! In fact you’ve had so much fits you’re injured, embarrassed, afraid and almost lifeless. Selah!
When the man ended his appeal, Jesus spoke to the unbelieving and difficult Pharisees and then asked for the boy to be brought him. This is a moment of change – when the Master calls for you! No matter your challenge friend, Jesus wants you to bring it to him! Will you?
Have you wondered why all hell breaks loose the moment you start praying, fasting, praising and giving? It’s because God is in it and the enemy will attempt to distract or deter you from doing anything that will bring you closer to God. When the boy was brought to Jesus, the scripture says “as soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it convulsed the boy, who fell to the ground and writhed there, foaming at the mouth”.
Like a good Lawyer would, Jesus was about to build a case from the evidence. He would soon diagnose and cure the illness being The Great Physician, so he asked “How long has this been happening?” He said, I want to help, touch, heal, deliver and restore you but for how long have you had this issue? How long have you been jobless? Let’s get to the root of this!
The father replied “since he was a child”. In other words, it’s been a long time and to top it, the spirit won’t let him talk but instead it seizes him, shakes him, slams him to the ground, and leaves him rolling, foaming and crying.
Luke’s account of this story adds “It hardly ever leaves him alone, torturing him severely.”(Luke 9:39).
Friend, what limitations has your condition placed on you? What disabilities have resulted? What has scarcely left you? Where are you bruised, battered, shattered, wounded and sore? What has almost robbed you of life – stealing your joy, killing your vision and destroying your future?
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
The man told Jesus and asked him to be who he already was (compassionate) and do what he already could do (help) them.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses.
Hebrews 4:15a
Friend, He’s touched by what touches you, he’s moved by whatever moves you and a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). He may not show up when you want but he certainly will when you need him! If you believe it, it will be possible to you!
The boy was epileptic quite alright but this was as a result of the evil spirit tormenting him.
Jesus knowing this charged the spirit to come out of him and enter him no more! Scripture says that when Jesus rebuked the spirit, the symptoms disappeared! May I encourage you to dig deep? Get to the root and find out the cause of your singleness, infertility, unemployment, poverty, sickness, etc…
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Luke’s account records that after throwing the boy down in front of them, the devil did come out of him without hurting him in the slightest. This implies you might have to throw a fit one last time after which whatever’s been bothering you will leave you without further damages. Whatever had happened before will NEVER happen again. By the power in the name of Jesus, I command your release, healing, and miracle. It’s a new season in your life.
Celebrate!