Lent Sermon Series: “Jesus and The Crowds”

Jesus shared with Peter, James, and John Like last week’s message (in how Jesus began His ministry after His powerful victory over Satan’s temptations in the desert); this week’s message begins after the powerful experience that Jesus shared with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.

A Demon-Possessed Boy” “Jesus Heals A Demon-Possessed Boy” * Mark 9: 14-29 * Matthew 17: 14-20 * Luke 9: 37-43

In Mark 9: 14-16, Jesus and the 3 disciples who had been away rejoin the other 9 disciples who have been engaged in a heated game of “finger pointing” to determine who’s to blame for a demon-possessed boy not being made well.

Luke 9: 38-40 38 “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.” 39 … It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

Combining the 3 Gospel Accounts, the Demon-Possessed Boy had these Near-Constant Symptoms: Selectively Mute & Deaf Spirit (would scream) Foaming/Clenching mouth Paralyzing/Stiffening body Epileptic Seizures Self-harm (by fire & water)

In all 3 Gospels, Jesus shows frustration at the lack of faith by all parties involved; but also his compassion to act saying: “Bring the boy to me.” How many more could be saved from the darkness of our world by us simply bringing them to Jesus?

Mark 9: 22-24 22 “…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

42 “Even while the boy was coming, Luke 9: 42-43 42  “Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.”

Matthew 17: 19-20 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mark 9: 28-29 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”