03.02.2016 New Testament: Mark 9.14–16

To read the Bible in a year, read Mark 9.1–29 on March 2, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

People say things to us and they speak about us. Jesus knows what they say and He wants them to know that He knows what they say,

And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” (Mark 9.14–16).

The context shows that immediately after Mark’s word here, a father brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples of Jesus, but they could not cast it out. Did the scribes dispute with the disciples, arguing that they did not have the power in the first place, and that this was proof that Jesus had not come from God? That is what I would gather from the text.

However, consider this that we can learn from this case. Jesus knows the disputes in which we engage. He knows when we do not have the upper-hand. He will help us, although we do not always know how.

Questions:

• What was your latest dispute about Christianity with an unbeliever?
• Did you conduct yourself properly?
• Did the unbeliever present questions you could not answer?