and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” Mark 9:18

When Jesus was approaching his disciples, he noticed there was a great dispute going on. A large crowd has gathered, and the disciples were arguing with the religious leaders. What was going on?

Well apparently, this man brought his son to the disciples to have a demon cast out of him. However the disciples were unable to cast out the demon, this allowed all the skeptics to start harassing the disciples. Have you ever been put into this position? Where someone asked you to pray for someone and your afraid if nothing happens, everyone will doubt your sincerity.

And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” Mark 9:19

Jesus has been putting up with the skeptics for awhile. But notice what he says to them “You unbelieving generation” The reason the disciples couldn’t cast out the demon was because nobody there had any genuine faith.  Without faith nothing is possible, but with faith anything is possible!

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23

This man brings his son to Jesus and says “If you can do anything, have compassion on us” Jesus is like What? “If there is anything I can do”?  Obviously this man really didn’t know or believe who Jesus was. Obviously this man really didn’t have much or any faith.  But Jesus says to those who do believe “All Things Are Possible”!

And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:29

The disciples asked Jesus why they were not able to cast out the demon? Jesus said this demon could only be cast out by prayer. Meaning we personally cant cast out anything only God has the power to cast out demons or heal people. But our true faith activates Gods power and makes all things possible!