What Jesus Did! 'Rebuke from Concern' — Mark 9:18-19

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

[A man in the crowd said to Jesus,] "... I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it."

Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

— Mark 9:18-19 NLT

Key Thought

Don't you know that, at times, Jesus exasperated with his apostles? On this occasion, the Lord was more than frustrated. He had given his disciples the power to do what needed to be done. But this time, they didn't do it. They even thought they couldn't do it, so of course, they couldn't! I appreciate Jesus' honest rebuke. Often, I fear, we do far less than we are capable of doing because we lack the faith to try and don't pray for God's power to be exerted. Even worse, we do far less than God wants us to do because we lack the faith in him to see us do more than we could imagine. [1]

[1] Ephesians 3:20-21.

Today's Prayer

O Lord God almighty, you are capable of doing anything your heart desires. I recognize that my lack of faith often inhibits your desire to work in the world through me. Please increase my faith. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon AM Devo for Sep. 17th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"Despairingly the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means....."
Cruciformed #4: Only by Prayer
Article by Phil Ware
Unlike the father of the boy with the tormenting spirit, we don’t confess our unbelief and then ask for help in believing more is possible. Phil Ware continues his series of posts from the discipleship section of Mark chapters 8-10, this time focusing on the boy the disciples of Jesus could not heal.
Unable to Meet the Need
Devo: What Jesus Did!
""What is all this arguing about?" Jesus asked. One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He....."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:18-19 NLT — "... I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it." —— "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Still Remembered to This Day!' (Je. 32:20)
"[O Lord] You performed miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt — things still remembered to this day! And you have continued to do..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Michael McInerney:
"Jesus gives us real eyes, so we can realize, where the real lies."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Jeremiah 32:41
"How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in his saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Use Them' (Ro. 12:6-8)
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving,..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!