When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. Sermons
I. ACCREDITED SERVANTS OF CHRIST WERE BEING DESPISED AND DISCOURAGED. (Vers. 14-18.) 1. Their spirit was being daunted. The people ceased to respect them, and the scribes began to turn the failure to account as an argument against their Lord. What could they say or do? Their Master was absent, and they were at their wits' end. A situation with its parallels in every age of the Church. Moral phases of individual, social, and national life which seem to defy remedy or even amelioration. Difficulties and failures in mission work, etc. 2. Their usefulness was at a standstill. The enemies of their cause had now the upper hand, and they were pressing them with objections and sneers. Perhaps they were even asking why their Master had gone away so mysteriously, and left them to cope with difficulties for which they were unequal. It was high time Jesus should come to their rescue. And lo! as the thought arose within them almost despairingly, he appeared! "The multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed." He had come just at the right moment, as if he divined the need for his presence. II. THEIR MASTER MADE THE DIFFICULTY AN OCCASION FOR SPIRITUAL REBUKE AND INSTRUCTION. 1. To the people, or generally. He laments their want of faith, and slowness to receive the things of God. They had the highest reasons for faith - his works and himself - in their midst, and yet would not believe. He gives vent to the feeling of weariness and moral disgust which overcame him, and in the face of which he still labored and forbore. The want of faith, only immediately manifested towards the disciples, was in reality towards himself. That was the root and spring of their readiness to cavil, and their questionings and arguments. 2. To the father. His conversation with Christ is made by the latter a perfect spiritual discipline. Already the dealings of God had been experienced in his home and heart, and that which has been begun is carried to a successful issue. It is amongst the compensations of great sorrows that, if they do not themselves induce a high spirituality of mind, they, at all events, help us to feel our need of the Savior. There was a preparatory work already done, and Christ wastes no advantage thus gained. Having signified his willingness to undertake the cure, he begins to question the father, partly as an expression of sympathy, partly to show the true character of the case. In this he succeeds in eliciting an expression of the sceptical spirit of the man: "If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Here there is room for a commencement, and the Savior repeats in grieved astonishment, "If Thou canst! It was a qualification that had no business in such a request, and it showed how poor was the spiritual life or power of the man. He then declares the grand condition of all his cures, All things are possible to him that believeth;" which in this connection meant that all the blessings Christ conferred were given only in response to faith, but where that was there was no limit with regard to their bestowal. He did not mean that any request, of whatever kind it might be, would be granted if it were only accompanied by faith, but that all requests that were the outcome of a Divine faith, and consequently subject to its conditions - as, for instance, their being agreeable to God's will - would be granted, however hard they might appear to man. This remark awoke the slumbering spiritual nature of the father, whose love for his son was also at work to quicken his susceptibilities, and he cried out, "I believe; help thou mine unbelief." There is great difference of opinion as to the true meaning of these words, and no certainty would seem to be attainable; Yet that they reveal a low, self-contradictory spiritual state is evident. Still, progress is perceptible. He at least knows his shortcoming, and has asked for its removal. That was probably effected by the cure of his son, which took place, not because of satisfaction with the father's confession - a very faulty one at best - but through desire to prevent tumult, etc.; for when "he saw that a multitude came running together," he quickly completed the miracle. But even in his expedition there is no hurry. The whole scene is solemn and expressive, and must have had a strong influence on all who looked on. 3. To the disciples. A call to a more intense and elevated communion with God. Prayer (and fasting) was a means to that. Faith is thus seen to be a condition both of getting good and doing good. It is because Christians live habitually on such a worldly plane that they lack power. Oneness in heart and life with God would remove "mountains." This power should be sought by all. III. HE MADE IT ALSO AN OCCASION FOR MORE SIGNAL DISPLAY OF HIS GLORY. The delay, failure of disciples, gradual extraction of all the circumstances of the case from the father, etc., all tended to increase the moral effect of the final exercise of power. His authority as the moral Governor of the universe, and Destroyer of the works of the devil, is also vindicated in addressing the demon. Not less, but far more, awful are the effects of sin upon the soul. Its expulsion is a work of Divine power and grace, and exhaustive of the nature in which it has dwelt. It is for Christ to raise up and revivify the poor wreck, the spiritual impotency that survives. So are the failures of weak disciples retrieved, and where disgrace is, humanly speaking, inevitable, the glory of God is revealed. The servants of Christ may despair of themselves, but never of him. - M.
And when He came to His disciples, He saw a great multitude about them. Learn from this narrative —I. THE OMNIPOTENCE OF TRUE FAITH IN GOD. It is not so much the amount of one's faith as the kind, and the fact that one really has it (Matthew 17:20). II. THE POWERLESSNESS OF CHRISTIANS WITHOUT TRUE FAITH. III. THE DISCREDITABLENESS OF CHRISTIAN INEFFICIENCY, LEADING TO QUESTIONINGS AND DISCUSSIONS THAT DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. IV. THE INEFFICIENCY OF CHRISTIANS THEIR OWN FAULT. In Christ they may be complete (Colossians 2:10). V. THE DUTY OF EVER LIVING YEAR TO CHRIST, RELYING ON HIM ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE. (Anon.) Christ's reply taught the disciples that —1. Miracles needed force to work them. 2. Soul forces are the highest class of forces, and faith force is the highest of all soul forces. 3. Faith force needs cherishing (1) (2) 4. Earnest love is the secret of all miracles. Had they made this sorrow their own — fasted as for their own trouble, prayed as for their own mercy — their love would have "believed all things," and been triumphant in its faith. (R. Glover.) This miracle stands inseparably connected with the transfiguration.I. THE CHRISTIAN IS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST. The father came to consult Christ, but in His absence appealed to His disciples, it should have been a safe appeal. So, everywhere and always, the Christian represents Christ. He holds in his hands the great trust of Christianity. Coming to him should be equivalent in the healing, saving result to coming to Christ. II. THE FAILURE OF THE DISCIPLE IS CHARGED AS THE FAILURE OF CHRISTIANITY. We do not claim the continuance of the power of miraculous healing, but we do claim the presence of Divine power in the Church. The Christian is entrusted with it. He should be always in possession of it. Let our ideas be clear, our claims carefully scriptural, but let it concern us when Christianity is without manifested power. Men will be turned astray and led to question and despise religion. III. CHRIST ALWAYS MANIFESTS HIMSELF TO PROTECT HIS CHURCH AND TO ASSERT HIS POWER. It may be after delay. But He comes. He cannot fail. IV. IF ONE FAILS WITH A DISCIPLE, LET HIM GO DIRECTLY TO JESUS. The petitioner who fails with the captain, goes to the colonel. If he fails again, an earnest petitioner will not stop until he has appealed, if necessary, at headquarters, to the commander-in-chief. V. PARENTS SHOULD KNOW THE CONDITION OF THEIR CHILDREN. Make the moral nature of your child as careful a study as his physical nature. Do not assume too readily that, because young, he is innocent, and good, and harmless. VI. THE DIFFICULTY IN THE WAY OF HEALING IS NOT WANT OF POWER IN GOD, BUT WANT OF FAITH IN MAN. Faith all must have who would receive benefits from Christ. The blessing given is in proportion to the degree of faith. No faith, no blessing; little faith, partial blessing; great faith, great blessing. (G. R. Leavitt.) Like some mighty general who, having been absent from the field of battle, finds that his lieutenants have rashly engaged in action and have been defeated, the left wing is broken, the right has fled, and the centre begins to fail; he lifts his standard in the midst of his troops, and bids them rally around him; they gather; they dash upon the all-but triumphant foemen, and soon they turn the balance of victory, and make the late victors turn their ignominious backs to the flight. Brethren, here is a lesson for us. What we want for conquest is the shout of a King in the midst of us. The presence of Christ is victory to His Church: the absence of the Lord Jesus entails disgraceful defeat. O armies of the living God, count not on your numbers, rely not on your strength; reckon not upon the ability of your ministers; vaunt not in human might; nor on the other hand be discouraged because ye are feeble; if He be with you, more are they that are for you than all they that are against you. If Christ be in your midst, there are horses of fire and chariots of fire round about you.(C. H. Spurgeon.) I. THE MAN'S AFFLICTION.1. It was not personal: not in himself, but through his child. 2. It was the consequence of affection. Our love is the source of joy; it is also the cause of pain. Our relation. ships are a blessing; they often become a curse. 3. It was very terrible. A son not only imbecile, but who could do nothing for his own support. II. THE MAN'S ADVANTAGE. Affliction is not an unmixed evil. On the contrary, God often makes it a means of the greatest blessings. In this particular case it led to two great mercies.(1) It led to the lad himself being brought to Christ, and(2) it led to the father going as well. How often are parents led to Christ through the sufferings and death of their children. III. THE MAN'S MISTAKE. Instead of going to the Master at once, he went to the servants. They tried to afford relief, but they tried in vain. This course is very natural to mankind. 1. Our pride induces it. Naaman was too proud to simply obey the Divine command; he wanted the prophet to come and touch him with adulation and respect. 2. Our carnality causes it. We are of the earth earthy. We do not apprehend spiritual things, and will have nothing of them. 3. Our faithlessness produces it. We don't believe in the power of an unseen God. It is a painful tendency of the human mind to make gods of men, a tendency which in ancient times developed into idolatry. IV. His APPLICATION. Finding no other help, the man was obliged to go at last to Christ. We may see here, however — 1. His persistency. Although not relieved by the disciples, he was not deterred by their failure; and probably the disciples, when they failed, did as they ought to do — pointed him to their Master. 2. His small amount of faith. Apparently he was so disheartened that he did not know what to do. Faith differs in degree. How strong was that of the centurion — "Speak but the word, and my servant shall be healed." 3. The training of his understanding. Christ first rebuked him — "O faithless generation," etc. — and then encouraged him — "All things are possible to him that believeth." V. HIS DEVELOPING FAITH. 1. He acknowledges his conviction. He began to realize the truth of what the Master said. The germs of belief had existed before; otherwise he would not have approached at all. 2. He confesses his imperfection — "Help my unbelief." There are degrees in everything — in growth, health, wealth. 3. He regrets his weakness — "He said, with tears." 4. He applied for succour. We may bring all our weakness to the Saviour. VI. HIS SUCCESS. Jesus saved the son. There is help for the weakest. (B. L.) In a hundred ways he tears them, and throws them down; he stops their intelligent speech, and sends them wallowing and foaming in sin. None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good. Even disciples fail. No priest can offer sufficient sacrifice; no man can redeem his brother. "Bring him unto Me!" Faith is in every case of instrumental usefulness positively indispensable. There are times when Christ Himself will do no mighty works because of unbelief. "O faithless generation!" How quickly this explains the coldness and backwardness of the churches. When faith is feeble, what faith there is may well be employed in securing more faith. "Help mine unbelief." Pray to the "Lord," even if the word be not in this verse; and pray "with tears" too!(C. S. Robinson, D. D.) I. THE CASE OF THIS MAN.1. This does not appear to be an ordinary case of dumbness. 2. It was not due to mental ecstasy, such as occasionally produced a temporary suspension of speech. The father of Baptist. 3. The man is described in simple and instructive language as having "a dumb spirit." (1) (2) (3) (4) II. THE INTERVENTION OF THE MAN'S FRIENDS. III. THE POWER OF JESUS. 1. Absolute supremacy. 2. The manner of the exercise. 3. The mystery of its power. (L. H. Wiseman, M. A.) I. THE APPLICATION ITSELF. 1. It was made by an afflicted parent. The child mentally afflicted in mind and body — "Oft times the evil spirit." Every sinner is so far under the power of the devil. 2. It was made by a party that deeply felt the circumstances in which he himself and his suffering child were placed 3. That the person who made it stood ready to do whatever our Lord should direct. For this readiness to obey a truly humble heart prepares us, softened by grace. 4. He despaired of help from any other quarter. He was on the verge of despair previous to our Saviour's administering help. Our minds must be brought off from every other dependence. 5. The party before us had a little faith, and was pleading for more. II. THE RECEPTION WHICH THIS APPLICATION TO OUR SAVIOUR MET WITH. 1. Jesus administers reproof to His disciples and to all around Him. Christ often has to reprove us; we deserve it. 2. Jesus directs the sufferer to be brought to Him. 3. Jesus proceeds to correct the views, and inform the mind of the suppliant. Light is given with grace. 4. Jesus gives the party before us the warrant or authority for that faith which He called him to exercise. 5. He strengthens the confidence of the party, whom He thus authorizes to draw near to Him for the blessing requested. 6. The earnestness with which we should draw near to the Great Physician for spiritual help. 7. In some cases of healing special means are to be employed — "Prayer and fasting." (Joseph Taylor.) People Elias, Elijah, James, Jesus, John, PeterPlaces Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Galilee, High MountainTopics Arguing, Crowd, Disciples, Disputing, Immense, Large, Law, Mass, Multitude, Party, Questioning, Rejoin, Scribes, Surrounding, TeachersOutline 1. Jesus is transfigured.11. He instructs his disciples concerning the coming of Elijah; 14. casts forth a deaf and mute spirit; 30. foretells his death and resurrection; 33. exhorts his disciples to humility; 38. bidding them not to prohibit such as are not against them, 42. nor to give offense to any of the faithful. Dictionary of Bible Themes Mark 9:14 5168 muteness Library February 2 EveningOne star differeth from another star in glory.--I COR. 15:41. By the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all.--Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who … Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path Christ's Lament Over Our Faithlessness The Omnipotence of Faith Unbelieving Belief An Unanswered Question Salted with Fire 'Salt in Yourselves' 'This is My Beloved Son: Hear Him' Jesus Only! The Transfiguration Receiving and Forbidding July the Ninth Scholars in Christ's School The Lenten Fast. The Child in the Midst. Of Hell A Caution against Bigotry Faith's Dawn and Its Clouds The Child in the Midst. Absolute Surrender Thoughts Upon Striving to Enter at the Strait Gate. 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