Mark 9:24: ‘Immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”'
In three of the gospels (Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-42) there is an account of a sick boy that was healed by Jesus.
Matthew 4:24 differentiates between epilepsy and demon possession — it seems as if the boy had epilepsy-like symptoms, but Mark noted that he had an unclean spirit.
Nonetheless, from the three accounts I am able to draw the following picture of what happened in my mind:
- Jesus came upon a large crowd and scribes disputing, arguing and bickering with His disciples — probably because they were unable to heal the sick boy (Mark 9:14-18)
- The father of the boy recognized and worshipped Jesus, knelt before Him and called Him Lord (Matthew 17:14&15)
- The boy was probably scarred, disfigured and unable to talk and hear (Mark 9:22&25)
- The father’s desperation and tears as he begs (in the KJV ‘beseech’) Jesus to help his only son (Luke 9:38)
I’ve witnessed this picture in the silent tears of my husband over his broken little girl, his devoted care of her, his rock-firm faith in the will of the LORD and his consistent, gentle reminders that only in Jesus Christ we shall find complete acquiescence.
God bless, Anje & Willie