THEY STILL HADN’T GOT IT!
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 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.” Mark 9:14-18
Jesus left behind nine disciples when He went up the mountain with the other three. What were they supposed to be doing? Hanging around waiting for Jesus? As long as there were needy people around, they were never off duty. When Jesus and His disciples arrived back, the nine were engaged in a heated debate with the religion scholars. About what? Was it over their failure to drive the demon out of an epileptic boy or were they trying to defend their association with Jesus?
Another tough experience for them because they themselves were plagued with doubts and misunderstandings about Jesus. He kept speaking about things that had no connection with their expectations. Perhaps their failure to deliver the sick boy was linked with their perception of the kingdom of God, which resembled the kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon, rather than the concept of a spiritual dimension ruled by God.
The commotion Jesus encountered must have had something to do with the child because the father emerged from the crowd with the complaint that the disciples had failed to help them.
The description of the child’s seizures seems to indicate that he had epilepsy but the father attributed it to a demon and Jesus did not contradict him. This prompts the question, “Is epilepsy demonic in origin or is this a case of demonic activity manifesting in epilepsy-like symptoms?” Epileptics are not usually mute unless there is some interference with the speech centre.
This prompts another question? “How much of what goes wrong in our bodies is caused by demonic activity? Are demons behind many illnesses and conditions because we have allowed them in by sinful habits and attitudes? Has our pre-occupation with scientific research and scientific explanations blinded us to the war zone we are in?” Since Jesus was the only person who fully knew the truth, His understanding and actions would have reflected what was actually going on. 87