This Kind

We turn our attention to Mark 9:14-29. So, Jesus had returned from the transfiguration with three disciples in tow. As he arrived, people saw him coming, ran to him, greeted him. The multitude had not diminished. They waited. Much had transpired in Jesus' absence. He found his remaining disciples in a heated debate with the scribes. No Pharisees are mentioned, though we know they followed Jesus as much as the throngs. We also know the Sadducees and local elders, wherever Jesus went, were a constant source of testing and strife.

Who were the scribes, exactly? According to Wikipedia, a scribe is a person who writes books or documents . . . and may help keep track of records for priests and government. Scribes of the ancient world were distinguished professionals who could exercise functions we would associate with lawyers, government ministers, financiers and even judges. It was such a crew that Jesus found grilling his disciples. Jesus demanded to know why they questioned his disciples.

The crowd was excited. A fact that might be overlooked is the reaction of the people upon Jesus' return. They were greatly amazed. Why was that, I wonder? Had the political tides changed in his absence? Did the people see the scribes as attaining the dominant position? Then Jesus came back – it seems it was just in time, for the disciples had failed in the power of the new ministry and were now being called out for it.

Yet, before the scribes could muster a response, one close to the center of the controversy stepped up with the answer. In his absence, the remaining disciples of Christ had been presented with a case of possession which was beyond the abilities. The father of the possessed boy told the whole story – they brought the boy into the circle of attention. He was still in the grips of a grievous malady, as the possessing spirit threw the boy about.

Jesus spoke with the father, questioned him about the boy, even as all others held their tongues, waiting to see what might happen next. All along, the crowd kept growing. People sent word of mouth (albeit hushed) that increased the number of curious onlookers. Jesus noticed the increase and chose that setting in which to drive out the evil spirit. So many witnesses served a dual purpose as they not only advertised the good news and the power of faith in God but were set against the naysayers in the sense of legal witnesses.

It is of note that Jesus named the spirit. He named it “dumb and deaf” in verse 25. It may be that the disciples had some practice in healing and power against the evil spirits. Christ did send them out on such field trips. That might explain why the boy was brought to the disciples as well as their botched attempt. Did the disciple know, I wonder, what the name of the spirit was? At any rate, we wonder about the name. It obviously heard Jesus' command. It cried out as it left the boy.

We are aware of at least one case in which the spirits and Christ were in communication. Jesus asked for and received the of 'Legion.' So, in the case of this poor boy, we might assume that the spirit acted in a manner that resulted in no forthcoming name – as if it could not or would not communicate. It is a fact that this spirit was of a kind the disciples could not fight. This kind of spirit, Jesus admitted later, was beyond them, perhaps for that very reason. This kind of spirit was shielded from the disciples and was accessed only through a heightened spiritual regimen that more attuned one to spiritual realities.

The disciples had failed because they were more nearly physical and worldly than spiritual. This is a lesson for all believers. Even the closest and most devout followers of Christ still have worldly limitations to overcome. Discipleship calls for discipline.