When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd
around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the
people saw Jesus they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. A man in the crowd
answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit
that has robbed him of speech. Whenever
it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth
and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they
could not." "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how
long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to
me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw
the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at
the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like
this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown
him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us
and help us." "`If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is
possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed,
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to
the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he
said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him
again." The spirit shrieked,
convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that
many said, "He's dead." But
Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After
Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't
we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by
prayer"
In a Nutshell
Jesus cured an epileptic boy after His disciples had got into an argument, involving the boy's father, over why they couldn't help.
Questions
Why were the disciples unable to heal the boy? What did Jesus say was their biggest problem?
If you have ever witnessed someone in an epileptic fit, you'll know it's not pretty. But we should not avoid giving help, if we can. Maybe this story can prepare us to help when such a thing happens. Let's go through it with that in mind.
The crowd following Jesus were not just ignorant, uneducated people. They had the benefit of going to synagogue and hearing God's Law explained every week. They could judge a good teacher when one came along. They could discuss the law with the Scribes who made it their job to interpret God's law for every situation. Here they busily argued about the fit! How should they view the seizure? How could they help without getting themselves unclean, or in touch with evil spirits?
Jesus however
proclaimed a plain message; epileptics and sick people are not here so professional
faith healers can show how powerful they are. Jesus' healing of the boy was
about helping him and his dad to be together quietly so they could find their
way in the next few minutes, let alone in the future. And only when the boy and
his dad had gone was Jesus ready to answer any questions. When they asked,
"Why couldn't we cast this evil spirit out?" His replied was
straight. This can only happen after much prayer
…
By this action Jesus taught that healing needs quiet prayerfulness and prayerful quietness. He pulled out the plug on the debate. Of course, God can hear your prayers over any din, but when you pray for someone's healing you are saying to God that you are willing to get involved on His terms. That also means quietness, particularly for the one you are helping. Those who are sick need quiet to recover their strength. In the case of this boy some towels, water and a clean pair of undies would be appropriate. That would help. The arguments were a distraction.
Mark tells us that this event occurred immediately after they came down from the mountain. They came back down to sea-level with a thud. But the Kingdom of God, with all its healing power, had surely come into their lives and was unleashing God's amazing love for His belovéd Son upon the world. The epileptic boy was healed and Jesus' disciples could see anew how God's promises were coming true in wonderful ways. Just like the prophet Malachi had once said: "God's sun of righteousness will arise, bringing healing in its wings" and "the sons will be reconciled with the fathers and the fathers with their sons".