Help My Unbelief

Passage · Mark 9:14–29; Matthew 17:14–21; Luke 9:37–43

Near Caesarea Philippi · from The One

The next day, as they descended the mountain (Mk 9:14–27) and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them with some teachers of the law arguing with them. Upon seeing Jesus, wonder filled the crowd, and they ran to greet Him.

“What are you arguing about?” He asked.

A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a mute spirit. (M7:15) Have mercy (L9:38) for he’s my only child. (M7:15) He’s epileptic and suffers greatly. (Mk) Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and is wasting away. I asked Your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”

“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus said. “How long will I put up with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring (L9:41) your son (M17:7) here (Mk 9:19) to Me.”

And they brought the man’s son to Jesus. When the spirit saw the Lord, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

“From childhood,” he explained. “It frequently throws him into the fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion, and help us.”

Jesus said to him, “If there is anything I can do! Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

The boy’s father cried out with tears, “I do believe! Help my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw a crowd rapidly gathering at the scene, He rebuked the unclean spirit, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!”

The spirit gave a shriek, violently convulsed the boy, and left him. The boy looked so much like a corpse that most of the people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus grasped his hand and lifted him, and he stood to his feet.

So Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And everyone marveled at the greatness of God.

Then the disciples met with Jesus privately and asked, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”

“Because you have so little faith,” He said. “I tell you truthfully, if you have faith as small a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” And He said to them, “This kind will come out only by prayer and (M17:21) fasting.”

Reflection Question

What do I need to bring honestly to Jesus today with the prayer, “I do believe; help my unbelief”?

What This Means to Me

Discussion Questions

1. 1What details in the father's story show how much weight he and his son have been carrying?
2. 2How do the arguing crowd, the failed disciples, and the suffering boy shape the atmosphere Jesus enters?
3. 3What does the father's “If You can do anything” reveal about what disappointment has done to his expectations?
4. 4Why is “I do believe; help my unbelief” an honest prayer rather than a contradiction?
5. 5Where have past disappointments or other people's failures made it harder for you to trust Jesus?
6. 6What is the difference between bringing Jesus the faith you have and waiting until you feel you have enough?
7. 7How do Jesus' command, His authority over the spirit, and His taking the boy by the hand reveal both power and compassion?
8. 8What gap between the faith you have and the faith you need are you being invited to place in Jesus' hands this week?