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Pentecost 17, 2024 Proper 19
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 15, 2024
Isaiah 50:4-10, James 3:1-12, Mark 9:14-29
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What is a disciple? What is an apostle? What do these terms mean? In the Gospel of Mark the terms are pretty clear. Disciple means follower. Apostle means sent one. The word “disciple” is used 42 times in the Gospel of Mark; the word “apostle” is only used twice. The first in Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) 14 And [Jesus] appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.”
In the beginning of Mark 6 we read, Mark 6:7 (ESV) 7 And [Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” They return at the end of Mark 6. Mark 6:30 (ESV) 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.”
The apostles were sent by Jesus with authority over unclean spirits and they returned and reported to Jesus. They were sent on a mission and then the mission was finished.
Later, in Mark chapter 8 Jesus tells the disciples what is going to happen to Him, Mark 8:31 (ESV) 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” This appears to be a big change in Jesus’ mission and the disciples are greatly troubled.
Six days later Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and He is transfigured before them and Elijah and Moses appear with Him and they are overshadowed by a cloud and the voice of God says, Mark 9:7 (ESV) 7 …“This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”
While Jesus and the three disciples are up on a high mountain, what are the other nine up to? As Jesus, Peter, James and John are coming down the mountain they see a large crowd gathered around the disciples and the scribes who are arguing. Coming down the mountain to this scene of chaos conjures up memory of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai with the 10 Commandments and hearing the chaotic sound of the gathered crowd worshiping the golden calf they built.
Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples arguing with the scribes and a whole crowd of people is gathered around. What is going on? It turns out that the disciples have been trying to drive an unclean spirit out of a boy but are unable to do it. Perhaps the disciples are remembering all that they had done when Jesus gave them authority and sent them to drive out unclean spirits. Maybe they are thinking that doing this in front of a crowd and the scribes will really show everyone the disciples’ power. It will show everyone the disciples’ greatness. But what happens? Nothing happens. The disciples are unable to drive out the unclean spirit. This must cause incredible delight for the scribes who are looking to discredit Jesus and His followers. Jesus has told the disciples that He will be rejected by the scribes. You can almost hear their taunting, “What’s wrong?! Is the demon too strong for you? You work for the devil; you’d think he would cooperate. We knew it. You all are just a bunch of phonies.” Maybe they start to stir up the crowd to denounce the disciples or even attack them. It appears that the disciples and the scribes are battling about who is the greatest? Who is the best? They are caring not so much about God but, rather, about themselves.
There is great temptation to make being a Christian be all about yourself and who you are and what you do. It can be all about how good you are, how dedicated you are at prayer, how much you read the Bible, how often you attend church, how much you serve, how much you give. You tell yourself, “I may not be perfect, but I am doing a lot better than that other guy. I have my little pet sins, but I am not like those really bad people.” It is a great temptation to make Christianity all about you. But then it would not be Christianity it would be Youianity. Youianity. The religion all about you.
Being a follower…being a disciple of Jesus is all about Jesus. And yet we see here the disciples trying to show off their power; trying to demonstrate their greatness. They currently do not have the authority to drive out unclean spirits, but they are going to try to do it anyway.
Now the father of this boy possessed by an unclean spirit just wants his boy to be better. He’s heard about Jesus and came to his disciples, but the disciples could not drive out the demon and now he and his boy have become the center of an argument between the scribes and Jesus’ disciples. The disciples and the scribes are going at as to who is better, all the while the boy is still possessed by an unclean spirit. There is a lot of noise and confusion and anger and it is helping no one. The father is losing hope.
Jesus arrives and the father explains what is happening and how he asked the disciples to cast it out and they were not able. Mark 9:19-20 (ESV) 19 And [Jesus] answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.” The father tells Jesus that this has been going on since childhood and the spirit has cast the boy into fire and into water trying to destroy him. The hopeless father begs Jesus, Mark 9:22 (ESV) 22 …But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” The father has experienced nothing but failure with freeing his son from this evil spirit and he wants to believe that Jesus can help, but he is not too sure.
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV) 23 And Jesus [says] to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child [cries] out and [says], “I believe; help my unbelief!”
The father has heard what Jesus can do. He wants to believe it is true. He believes Jesus can help, but then he still has doubts. And yet we see here that he is oriented in the right direction. He is not seeking additional strength from within -- he is asking Jesus for help. “I believe, help my unbelief.”
This is a wonderful short prayer that you can use over and over in your struggles. “I believe, help my unbelief.” The simple prayer of this father can also be paired with the simple prayer of the thief on the cross. “Luke 23:42 (ESV) 42 … “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” “I believe, help my unbelief.” Both of these short prayers orient you to receive from Jesus rather than trying to find comfort in yourself.
When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus. What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus
It seems that the crowd watching the argument between the disciples and the scribes now notice that the boy and his father are over a ways talking with Jesus and the crowd comes running towards them. Jesus immediately rebukes the unclean spirit, Mark 9:25 (ESV) 25 … “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The demon comes out of the boy and it appears the boy is dead, but Jesus takes him by the hand and lifts him up and he is fine.
Later, Mark 9:28–29 (ESV) 28 …when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
This is a puzzling declaration. What does Jesus mean? Well, prayer directs the disciples away from themselves. Prayer forces the disciples to quit looking at themselves and instead look to Jesus. Prayer shows it is not about the disciples being powerful or great. Prayer orients you, in faith, away from yourself and toward Jesus. Christianity does not bring you power and greatness…power and greatness is from Jesus.
When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus. What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus. By nature, you are drawn to be curved in on yourself; to be most concerned about your emotions, your feelings, your ideas, your desires. Jesus calls you away from yourself to live in love for God and love for your neighbor. Being a follower of Jesus is not at all about being powerful and great, it is about following Jesus.
This lesson is valuable for all of us, but it is very important for the guy up front wearing the white robe and green stole who is called to teach and preach. As we learn from our epistle lesson, James 3:1 (ESV) 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Along with Jesus’ first disciples, pastors and teachers need great humility and constant prayer to remember that all that we teach and preach is from Jesus -- and about Jesus. It is about Jesus and not about me. It is not about you. It is about Jesus for you.
And so…as a disciple of Jesus…follow Jesus. And when you struggle…pray…“I believe, help my unbelief.” Amen.