Mark 9:14-19 - Jesus Confronts a Faithless Generation

Mark 9:14-19
¹⁴ When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. ¹⁵ Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. ¹⁶ And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” ¹⁷ And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; ¹⁸ and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” ¹⁹ And He *answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”

Message: Jesus Confronts a Faithless Generation

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:  

Preface - So far this chapter has focused on the transfiguration of Jesus, an event that I am not real sure right now of its purpose. Prior to it Mark records that Peter had questioned Jesus and his teaching that he must be killed and after 3 days rise again. In the transfiguration, Elijah and Moses appear. The disciples mention that there is a prophecy that says that Elijah must come before the Christ. The Spirit and Power of Elijah has come in the form of John the Baptist.

Jesus has now returned from the mountain. As he returns they saw a large crowd around them. The disciples were there. Upon seeing Jesus, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. Scribes are arguing with people in the crowd and possible the disciples. Jesus asks, What are you discussing with them? And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.”

Upon hearing this Jesus remark O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me! I believe Jesus wanted people to see that that they also had the power of God in them. It could be said that Jesus here is judging the unbelief of those that are following him. 

There is a significant contrast here - the glorification of Jesus as seen in His transfiguration and now descending to the land and seeing the disbelief of man. It makes me wonder what is missing here with these people, it is not that Jesus expected them to be divine, that these people would have the same strength that he has, but they should have the ability to be of the same kind. 

Summary - Coming down from the mountain and experience the highest of high's, Jesus now experiences a low - the disbelief of people following Him. It is not clear what he expected, but it was obviously something rather than nothing. 
 
Promise: Jesus and his harsh words are aimed at a desire to awaken us to our sin, unbelief in this instance. Our confidence is always to be in Him.  

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a person that follows you and does what you say but often I am just like the crowd and instead of doing what you say, I do the reverse. I want to be part of the believers.