Words of Faith: Believe in Jesus

Mark 9:14–15(ESV): “And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.” 

The revealing of the glory of Jesus as he had been transformed on the mountain before the eyes of Peter, James, and John. Glory and restoration were going to come through suffering and humiliation. This was the message of the transfiguration. Jesus is restoring all things and coming into his glorious kingdom through his suffering, death, and resurrection.

We need to remember this because the gospel picks up where we left off with that scene. Let’s look at Mark 9:14. We are allowed to see what was happening with the other nine disciples while Jesus, Peter, James, and John were on the mountain. While up on the mountain a large crowd gathered around the other nine disciples. We have seen throughout Mark’s gospel that wherever he goes there are always great crowds following him. It turns out that quite a scene is being made because the scribes are arguing with these nine disciples.

While glory is being shown on the mountain, the scribes are arguing with the rest of Jesus’ disciples. But before we are allowed to learn what the problem is and what the argument is about, notice something else we are told in verse 15. 

Immediately all the crowd, when they saw Jesus, was greatly amazed. Why are they overwhelmed with wonder? Why are they greatly amazed when they saw Jesus? The logical answer is that Jesus’ clothing is still dazzling white from the transfiguration on the mountain. The parallel is in Exodus 34:29-30 when Moses came down from the mountain that the shining face of Moses did not stop but continued and Israel saw it.

The same thing is happening here. People are being given a chance to behold a small portion of the glory of Jesus. They are amazed when they see him. But that does not stop what is happening in this argument just as the shining face of Moses did not cause Israel to seek deeply into its meaning. Fast forward to January 5, 2023, there was a tragedy that has prompted much discussion and concern in fair city, as well it should.

But the same pink elephant has caused chaos and arguments now as it does then. The argument of demonic possession and the inability to eradicate the being from the area. Well, some things come out but prayer and fasting and not living in denial and perpetual ignorance. The argument is our lack of change.  

So Jesus asks what the argument is about. Why are the scribes arguing with the disciples of Jesus? The answer is revealed. Someone in the crowd announces the problem. He brought his son to Jesus but found these nine disciples here at the foot of the mountain. His son has a spirit that makes him mute, seizes him, throws him down, causes him to foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid. In verse 22 we are told that this spirit casts the son into the fire and into the water to destroy him.

This spirit has been afflicting him since childhood. But notice what the man says in verse 18. He asked his disciples to cast out this spirit and they were not able. The disciples could not cast out this unclean spirit. This appears to be the basis for the scribes’ argument. It seems that the disciples are being challenged over their inability. Why did these disciples fail? Why could they not cast out this unclean spirit?

The text reveals to us that they were relying on themselves and did not possess enough faith. A lack of faith blocks so much. Faith is a great obstacle which has been revealed to us as that obstacle throughout this gospel. Great faith is lacking and the lack of great faith is the hindrance. Our community is still well. We need to walk by faith and not by sight. The wake-up call has been given. Jesus is worthy of great faith. Jesus is worthy of our trust. Believe in Jesus. 

Earl W. Hughes Jr. is Director/Founder of Works of Faith Ministries.