546. MAR 9:17-27. CASTING OUT THE DUMB SPIRIT

Mar_9:17-27. Casting Out the Dumb Spirit

"And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit: and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not," &c.’97Mar_9:17-27.

Satan seems to have possessed amazing power about the period of Christ’s advent and mission upon earth. Hence not only did he reign in the hearts of the children of disobedience, but he also afflicted persons with grievous diseases, and held bodily possession of numbers of individuals. Our subject describes a peculiarly distressing case of this kind, and exhibits the power and compassion of Christ in the deliverance effected. Let us,

I. Contemplate the sufferer. The sufferer was a youth, and his afflicted state is thus described,

1. He was unable to speak. Hence the spirit possessing him is called a dumb spirit. This was a very serious deprivation. But,

2. He was liable to violent convulsions. Hence under the paroxysms of suffering, "he foamed at the mouth," "gnashed with his teeth," and furiously tore and mangled his own person.

3. His flesh and strength were wearing away. And he "pineth away," Mar_9:18. We can scarcely conceive of a more distressing spectacle of suffering and misery. How almost hopeless was his condition,’97for it is added that he had been thus afflicted from a child, Mar_9:21. But observe,

II. The person of the applicant. This was the father of the sufferer. He said, "I have brought unto thee my son," &c., Mar_9:17. He was evidently excited by deep natural affection and tender compassion for his afflicted child. This example of parental love and solicitude is worthy of our imitation. You will observe in the conduct of the father,

1. The mistake he originally committed. He went to the disciples for relief instead of to the Saviour. "And I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not," Mar_9:18. How common it is to go to inferior sources for relief. How many go to means, and trust in these instead of the Author of all good,’97the God of the means. How commonly we repair to the creature, forgetting the Creator.

2. He then came to Jesus. His error is now corrected, and he is in the presence of him unto whom all power is committed both in heaven and on earth. He now says, "Master, I have brought him unto thee," &c., Mar_9:17. Happy they who come with all their burden and sorrows to Jesus."

"Only Jesus’97only Jesus’97

Can do helpless sinners good."

3. He describes the sufferings of his child. He details the particulars, and also dwells on the imminent peril of the child. For he says, "And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him," Mar_9:22.

4. He earnestly appeals for relief. "But if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us and help us," Mar_9:22. Here he makes his case his own. He identifies his child’s sufferings with himself. He evidently had some doubts of Christ’s power to meet this extreme case. "If thou canst." But he casts all his deep and anxious care on the Saviour’s compassion. "Have compassion and help us." Notice,

III. The conduct of the Saviour. He had already rebuked the disciples for want of faith, Mar_9:19. He had ordered the child to be brought unto him. He had kindly inquired into the particulars of his sufferings, Mar_9:21. And now having the case fully before him, and having heard the earnest and tender appeal of the father, he rolls it back with all its responsibility on the father’s faith. Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth," Mar_9:23. As if he had said,

1. In me there is an efficiency of power. But thy faith must elicit its operation’97canst thou lay hold of my strength? If so, it can do all thou needest.

2. In me there is amplitude of efficacy. Canst thou draw out the virtue and apply it to thy suffering son? There is virtue enough in me to heal the maladies of a wretched world. Extract it by thy faith, and thy son is healed.

3. In me there is graciousness of disposition. Canst thou honor my office, and mission, and work? If so, I will have compassion on thee, and restore thy child. I came to seek and to save that which is lost, and if thou canst but believe, all thou seekest and desirest is fully possible. For all that can be done, faith can do it.

IV. The humble prayerful faith of the father. He now felt that the whole weight of the responsibility rested on himself. The heavy load oppressed him. His spirit became intensely anxious. He collected all the confidence of his soul. And,

1. Affirmed his faith. "Lord, I believe." I can trust this case to thee. I do believe in thy power and efficacy, and in thy readiness to save my son.

2. He admitted the lingerings of his unbelief. Hence he adverts to his unbelief. There was a great inward conflict distressing his spirit. He felt the difficulties of the case.’97the lingering fears interposed as he was endeavoring to cast all on the Saviour’s help.

3. He earnestly sued for the Saviour’s aid. "Help thou mine unbelief." I would fain believe, explicitly, heartily, fully. I feel my soul rising with confidence. I dread lest my wickedness should entail on my child his terrible affliction. I must therefore cast my soul on thy tender sympathy and pity. "Help thou mine unbelief," Mar_9:24. Notice,

V. The miracle the Saviour wrought. He charged the deaf and dumb spirit to come out, Mar_9:25. The spirit struggled to retain possession, and "cried and rent him sore." It appeared as if the child would perish in the conflict. Hence "he was as one dead," Mar_9:26. But Christ overcame, the spirit was expelled, and "Jesus took the child by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose," Mar_9:27. Triumphant Saviour!’97Happy child, and delighted parent!’97Learn,

1. The malevolent character of the devil. It is his work to curse, and to torture, and to destroy.

2. The gracious saving power of the Redeemer. He can deliver, and he delights to do so.

3. The mighty efficacy of faith. Faith honors Christ, and Christ will honor and meet the cries of believing, persevering supplication.

4. What a lesson of parental affection and influence. Learn to bring your children to the exercise of faith in the Saviour.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS