Mark 9:14-15: "When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him."
My note: "Run to Jesus!"
Mark 9:16: "And He asked, 'What are you discussing with them?' "
My note: When we run to Him, He is ready to listen.
Mark 9:17: "And one of the crowd answered Him, 'Teacher, I brought you my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute;...' "
My note: Now run to Jesus with your needy child.
Mark 9:18: "...and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams and the mouth , and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it ."
My note: Run to Jesus with your child and tell Him all about your child's desperate need. You are powerless to change his heart and so are others (even His disciples). No one can do anything for his sinful condition. You can consult and listen to those who seem wise (and perhaps they are). You can try a recommended method, such as "tough love"; you can ask other parents who look successful. But if you are not running to Jesus with your child, all those you consult with will prove to be useless (like Christ's disciples) in delivering your child from sin and its effects.
My note: Run to Jesus, knowing that there is no one else who can set him free from the ravages of sin. And though you've gone to others, hoping that they could help your child, they've been of no use to him (because of their unbelief). Look now to Jesus and hear Him say, "Bring him to Me."
Mark 9:20: "They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth."
My note: Run to Jesus with your needy child, but do not be surprised that when, after asking the Savior to rescue him, your child's situation becomes worse. The devil and his minions will ramp up their efforts to keep your child bound, knowing that Jesus is listening. They hate giving up what seems to have belonged to them and will pull out all stops to keep your dear one in the darkness. And they also know how to discourage you from praying confidently, believing that Jesus will indeed rescue your child from that darkness and transfer him into the glorious kingdom of His beloved Son, the very One you now run to.
My note: You've run to Jesus and He has listened to you. In His compassion, He now asks you to tell Him more about our child's suffering. So tell him.
Mark 9:22: "...It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"
My note: Now ask the Savior, even if you lack confidence. You may even think He may be able to help your child but you wonder if He's willing to do so. Regardless of your "ifs" just ask Him.
My note: Now you hear the Savior say, "All things are possible to him who believes." And what is it that Jesus wants you to believe? He wants you to believe that He is not only able but that He is ready and willing to give you the very thing He also desires for your child - salvation. Salvation, is the gift that He died to freely give to those who are bound by the horrors of sin, when they run to Him.
Mark 9:24: "Immediately, the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."
My note: Now confess to Him that you have an unbelieving heart and ask Him to give you the faith to know and believe that He is this good, He is this kind, He is this compassionate, He is this generous and He is this able to give Himself to your child.
Mark 9:25: "When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.' ".
My note: Now watch, with many others as the Savior delivers your child from the debilitating darkness.
Mark 9:26: "After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, 'He is dead" "
My note: Now do not be discouraged when you see that your child may still exhibit some characteristics of death and darkness. Rather wait, because the Savior has transferred him from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. But like Lazarus, having been raised from the dead, still carried on him the grave clothes, your child must also be helped to shed those rags of death in order to reveal his new, pristinely beautiful clothing - the garments of the righteousness of Christ.
Mark 9:27: "But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he got up."
My note: Jesus will not only heal your child of his sin-sickness, but will now take his hand and lead him into the paths of righteousness for His glory. He is now your child's Savior and his tender shepherd.
Mark 9:28-29: "When He came into the house, his disciples began questioning Him privately, 'Why could we not drive it out?' And he said to them, ' This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.' "
My note: Now, when you speak with others who have a dear one who needs the Savior, tell them that all fleshly efforts will fail to set their loved one free from the grip of sin. Kindly implore them to run to and ask, as you did, the only One Who can take command of their child's heart and transform it forever for His glory.
Run to Jesus!
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