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

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’ ‘From childhood,’ he answered. ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:14-29—click link for entire passage)

In Mark 9:14–29 Jesus exposed the serious obstacle of unbelief while restoring a son to his father. Harassed by a demon and rendered speechless, the young man often had been burned or almost drowned. Failing to cast it out, the disciples had undermined Jesus’ credibility. Had they been mature disciples, they would have carried on in their leader’s absence and demonstrated his power and authority. Jesus, however, didn’t seem fazed by their failure. Even the father’s paradoxical admission—“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”—didn’t prevent Jesus from healing his son. That blunt honesty, a limited faith mixed with the desire to believe, captures perhaps the stark reality we all possess. The dialogue and questions leading up to that moment shed light on the human plight of faithlessness. Jesus was lovingly exposing their greatest problem of unbelief while releasing a young man from destruction. 

KEY QUESTIONS: When is the last time I struggled with unbelief? How might pride prevent me from acknowledging my unbelief and need for a gift of faith? How does admitting that I have a problem begin moving me toward finding a solution? How does desire make my faith grow? How can I help others overcome their unbelief and begin moving in faith toward solutions?