Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the mountain and returned to the other nine disciples and a huge crowd. A man had asked for mercy on his son, who had seizures and was suffering terribly. Mark gives more detail, for the man explained that he had come looking for Jesus to heal his son who was possessed by an evil spirit, making him unable to utter any sound (Mark 9:25). This was not just a case of epilepsy; it was the work of an evil spirit. The demon’s destructive intent is seen in that the boy would often fall into the fire or water.
Having heard of Jesus’ power to cast out demons, the father had come to Jesus, hoping for a cure for his son. He brought his son to the disciples to drive out the spirit, an appropriate request since the disciples had been given this power. But the disciples could not drive out the demon. Jesus cried out in exasperation, fed up with unbelief and lack of faith. His unusual words carry a biting rebuke. The disciples had been given the authority to do the healing, but they had not yet learned how to appropriate God’s power. Jesus’ frustration was with the stubborn, faithless people, including the crowd, the teachers of religious law, the man, and the nine disciples. His disciples merely reflected that attitude of unbelief so prevalent in the society. Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy.
The disciples had been unable to drive out this demon, and they asked Jesus why. They had cast out demons before; why hadn’t this demon responded? Perhaps the disciples had tried to drive out the demon with their own ability rather than God’s. If so, their hearts and minds were not in tune with God, so their words had no power. Jesus pointed to the disciples’ lack of faith. Jesus wasn’t condemning the disciples for substandard faith; he was trying to show how important faith would be in their future ministry. It is the power of God, not our faith, that can move a mountain, but faith must be present to do so. As the mustard seed that grew into a large garden plant, even a small “seed” of faith is sufficient.
There is great power in even a little faith when God is with us. If we feel weak or powerless as Christians, we should examine our faith, making sure we are trusting not in our own abilities to produce results but in God’s. If we are facing problems that seem as big and immovable as mountains, we must turn our eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Then, as Jesus promised, nothing will be impossible. (Verse 21 does not appear in most modern translations because the best Greek manuscripts do not have it.)
The disciples still resisted Jesus’ predictions of his suffering and death. This was the second time he clearly told the disciples that he (the Son of Man) would suffer. Whereas Jesus had spoken before about being rejected, this time he added the element of betrayal. He again said that he would be killed and be raised from the dead. There was again the assurance of victory, although the disciples always seemed to miss this point.
All Jewish males (age twenty and older) had to pay a Temple tax every year (Exodus 30:11-16). The amount was equivalent to about two days’ wages for the average worker. The money went for public sacrifices and then for the upkeep of the Temple. Tax collectors set up booths to collect these taxes. These tax collectors were probably the Temple commissioners who went through Palestine annually (these were not the same people who collected the Roman tax, such as Matthew). These collectors came to Peter. He may have been seen as a leader in this band of Jesus’ followers, or he may have been approached because he was “head of the household” and a homeowner in Capernaum. These men asked Peter if Jesus (your teacher) would be paying the Temple tax. To not pay the tax indicated a desire to separate from the religious community.
Peter answered a question without really knowing the answer, thereby putting Jesus and the disciples in an awkward position. Jesus used this situation, however, to emphasize his kingly role. Jesus’ question generalized the issue from the Jewish tax to all taxes. Kings collected taxes from foreigners, but never from their own people (referring to their family). If the tax is the Temple tax, then it belongs to God, and as a royal child of the king, there would be no need for Jesus to pay tax to his Father. By these words, Jesus once again established his identity as the Son of God.
Just as kings pay no taxes and collect none from their family, Jesus, the King, owed no Temple tax because he and his “children” belonged to another Kingdom. But Jesus supplied the tax payment for both himself and Peter rather than offend those who didn’t understand his kingship. Jesus taught his disciples that at times it would be important to submit for the sake of their witness. The opening phrase about that time ties this event to the previous teaching.
The disciples wondered about this coming Kingdom of which Jesus would be the king. In addition, Jesus’ talk of his coming death probably made them wonder how they were to run the Kingdom in his absence. The disciples were naturally curious about their position in the coming Kingdom. This question, “Which of us is greatest?” also may have been fueled by the special privileges given to Peter, James, and John at various times—most recently their trip with Jesus to the mountain and then their silence about what had happened there.
To answer the disciples’ question, Jesus called a small child over to him. The disciples needed to become as little children. Jesus wanted them to change their attitude toward greatness. The disciples had become preoccupied with the organization of an earthly kingdom and were seeking positions of advantage. Jesus used a child to help his self-centered disciples get the point. They were to have servant attitudes, not being “childish” (arguing over petty issues) but “childlike,” with humble and sincere hearts. God’s people are called to humility and unconcern for social status. Those who persist in pride and “ladder climbing” for the sake of status in this world will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. By contrast, those who, in humility, realize their need of a Savior, accept him, and move into the world to serve, not only enter the Kingdom but will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. True humility means to deny oneself, to accept a position of servanthood, and to completely follow the Master.
Jesus was also teaching the disciples to welcome children. This was a new approach in a society where children were usually treated as second-class citizens. Jesus equated the attitude of welcoming children with a willingness to receive him. An attitude that welcomes a little child like this readily welcomes and embraces believers of little worldly importance and low status. This shows an attitude that also welcomes the Savior, for he too was of little worldly importance and of low status. In God’s Kingdom, greatness lies in acceptance of and dependence upon the Savior. Together in the church, believers are to welcome and love one another, encourage one another, allow everyone a place to shine according to their gifts, and appreciate one another.
These little ones refers not just to children but to Jesus’ “little ones”—the disciples. Jesus warned that anyone who turns people away from him will receive severe punishment. A millstone was a heavy, flat stone used to grind grain. To have a millstone tied around one’s neck and then be thrown into the sea meant certain death by drowning. Even the horror of such a death was minor compared to what this person would face in eternity.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
I heard once that we all like to think of ourselves as servants - that is until we are treated like one. As I read today, I am convicted of the need for humility in my life. Lord, help me here. When the ugliness of pride rears it's head, give me a heart to lower myself and take the position of a servant. Remind me of the what Jesus came to do.
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NIV)
Folks, the route to significance is paved with service. For Jesus, serving wasn’t just a good idea. It was the main idea. I ask myself -why is serving so hard? Why do I find it so difficult at times? Time. I'm selfish. I'm proud. It takes humility to serve. I'm lazy. I put myself first.
I’ll tell you why I have a hard time serving. It’s because it is so much nicer when others serve me. It really is. Serving others is so difficult because I’m so selfish. I remember what President Ronald Regan once said to his staff - "You won't believe how much we can get done and how much we can accomplish, if no one cares about who gets the credit."
PRAYER
Lord, give the people of COV a heart to serve. Give them a heart of humility. Raise up an army of humble, servant leaders. From the folks who are big shots in the corporate world and don’t have to serve in that arena to the mom who finds herself serving all the time, give them a heart to serve Your church and Your people. Raise up folks who are willing to clean toilets and take out the garbage and clean up the nursery - whatever it takes.
"...all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
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