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

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Deuteronomy 1:38
"God employs his people to encourage one another. He did not say to an angel, "Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into Canaan-go,..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Paul E. Billheimer:
"The prayer closet is the arena which produces the overcomer."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Our True Enemy' (Acts 19:13-20)
"A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying,...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Stifle?' (1 Th. 5:19)
"Do not stifle the Holy Spirit."

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!