An Exposition of Mark 9:14-29

The main point of this passage is that, the disciples are tested, and their

genuine faith is exposed as mixed with pride and unbelief. It isn’t about

demons, it is about believing God over-against self-reliance, and the demon

was the situation that reveals the significance.

Oh, the disciples are true believers. No doubt about it. They love Jesus.

They believe in him for salvation. But they have some serious issues of

pride, and self-reliance, and undealt with unbelief.

So, Jesus sets up a little test. Jesus is training the men, and he gets

creative on this one.

Now he sets up an opportunity where he leaves nine of the men unexpectedly

so they have an opportunity to try things out on their own, without him.

When he comes back to them he will observe how they did, and then give them

feedback. 

Today the feedback will not be in the form of praise.

4 Events Unfold as the Disciples Learn an Unforgettable Lesson in

Self-Reliance

1. The Preliminary Catastrophe: a public ministry failure (14-18)

2. The Penetrating Conversation: an obvious lesson (19-24)

3. The Perfect Cure: a boy fully-restored (25-27)

4. The Painful Conclusion: a reproof of self-trust (28-29)