Demon possessed man healed

June 22 – A Demon possessed by healed - Mark 9:14-29

                Yesterday we see Jesus coming off the mountain and having to deal immediately with a demon possessed boy.  His father had brought the boy to Jesus’ disciples but they could not cast the demon out because of the unbelief of the crowd.  Today we will look at four other lessons we can learn from this passage.

1.        Jesus during this account reveals that He is going to die and be raised to life.  This caused His disciples to be filled with grief.  This is because He had commented that He would not be with them much longer.  The lessons they would learn would have to learn quickly.

2.        Jesus had helped the father of the child when he cried out, “Lord help me in my unbelief.”  Doubt and unbelief can hinder the work of God but if we are honest with the Lord He will help us overcome them. 

3.        Jesus reveals here as well that some demonic forces cannot be driven out except through fasting and prayer.  These are keys to spiritual victory. 

4.        When Jesus told His disciple that He was going to die and rise again it was hard for them to grasp this truth.  Even in Galilee Jesus was paving the way for His disciples to know the extent and end of His mission.  God is so faithful in preparing us for each step of our journey of life.  Let us not allow unbelief or lack of faith stop it.  If necessary let us have extended times of fasting and prayer to help us clearly discern God’s will for our lives.