What Jesus Did : Mark 9:14-15 - Greeted by the Crowd
by Phil Ware
Greeted by the Crowd - Mark 9:14-15
Then Jesus, Peter, James, and John went to the other followers. They saw many people around them. The teachers of the law were arguing with the followers. When the people saw Jesus, they were very surprised. They ran to him to welcome him. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
People were not quite sure what to think or do about Jesus. Some argued with his disciples about the small points of his ministry. I find it interesting that those who gave Jesus' disciples the hardest time were the religious teachers. The regular folks, "the crowd," saw something in Jesus that was awesome and were drawn to him. I wonder what would happen if we as "religious people" worried less about pleasing other religious people and focused more on sharing Jesus with the masses of common folks who do not really know him!
Today's Prayer
O God, forgive me for trying to keep the religious folks around me happy while ignoring the lost and hungry souls around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Jesus, Peter, James, and John went to the other followers. They saw many people around them. The teachers of the law were arguing with the followers. When the people saw Jesus, they were very surprised. They ran to him to welcome him. Jesus asked, "What are you arguing with the teachers of the law about?" A man answered, "Teacher, I brought my son to you. My son has a spirit {from the devil} inside him. This spirit stops my son from talking. The spirit attacks my son and throws him on the ground. My son foams from his mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes very stiff. I asked your followers to force the evil spirit out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You people don't believe! How long must I stay with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy to me!" So the followers brought the boy to Jesus. When the {evil} spirit saw Jesus, the spirit attacked the boy. The boy fell down and rolled on the ground. He was foaming from his mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to the boy?" The father answered, "Since he was very young. The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to the father, "You said, 'Help him if you can.' All things are possible for the person that believes." The father became very excited. He said, "I do believe. Help me to believe more!" Jesus saw that all the people were running there to see what was happening. So Jesus spoke to the evil spirit. Jesus said, "You evil spirit that makes this boy deaf and stops him from talking—I command you to come out of this boy and never enter him again!" The {evil} spirit screamed. The spirit caused the boy to fall on the ground again, and then the spirit came out. The boy looked like he was dead. Many people said, "He is dead!" But Jesus held the boy's hand and helped him stand. Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. Theysaid, "We could not force that evil spirit out. Why?" Jesus answered, "That kind of spirit can only be forced out by using prayer."-- Mark 9:14-29 (ERV)
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