A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 9:14-29)

“‘...I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.’ ‘You unbelieving generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’...When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit...After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer.’” (Mark 9:14-29—click link for entire passage)

In Mark 9:14–29 Jesus joined his disciples at the critical moment when they failed to cast out a demon. Although commissioned for such ministry and even at one point successful, the disciples had been rendered powerless. Had they grown complacent and faithless while he was absent on Mount Transfiguration? Were they in need of further coaching on the more difficult and complex cases of demon possession? Considering the first question, Jesus’ grief was evident in his response: “You unbelieving generation…how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?” The disciples’ persistent unbelief after observing Jesus’ power on numerous occasions clearly baffled him. His time and energy invested in them seemed fruitless. Yet he didn’t give up. Rather, as the story concludes, he coached them further. Serving leaders persevere in developing their followers despite failures and unbelief. 

KEY QUESTIONS: Have I ever felt frustrated at the lack of results due to others’ unbelief? What did I do with my frustration? What will I do in the future? How long should I keep investing in someone who persists in not acting on what I have shown or taught? How might I approach my persevering efforts differently to change the outcome?