Dad Was So Glad He Saw Jesus (Mark 9:14-29)
Gary McManus, 06/18/2023Part of the God's Love; Beyond Belief series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
June 18, 2023 Mark 9:14-29 Father’s Day USA
Dad Was So Glad He Saw Jesus
A history reminder on Father’s Day. . .
The idea of Father’s Day is 112 years old.
American Fatherhood has changed in 112 years.
Important reminder: the Bible speaks about Fathers.
There is an ideal behind the word father in the Christian faith because Jesus refers to our God as the Heavenly Father and not just for himself but for you and I as well. . . .YOUR Heavenly Father.
In the more recent past, Father’s Day sermons have been about the American Dads’ health. Not this year.
This year: all the times a father was mentioned in the
Gospel reports: 19 times. Some dads are mentioned by name.
In the list of UNNAMED dads includes two dads whose sons Jesus healed. (Luke 9:37-43, John 4:46-54). Three dads specifically sought Jesus for help.
The “dad stories” mentioned do contain some tricky verses that Christians have wrestled with for centuries. One example is Jesus emphasis on the true fulfillment of the commandment to honor father and mother. But right next to those reminders stand Jesus claim that the claim of Jesus Messiah is a higher calling. (Matthew 7:9, Luke 11:11)
Jesus shared the Jewish world view of the value of
children. Do 21st Century Americans value children
more or less than Jesus’ Jewish townspeople?
Jesus used the figure of the Father with two sons to teach ABOUT the Heavenly Father who celebrates
his strong willed son who had run off to spend his
inheritance. . . The Father receives his son back as if
his son had never left: ring, robe and shoes.
Jesus gave fathers confirmation of their role as fathers in the family AND, fathers are given a ROLE MODEL and that was the Heavenly Father Himself.
Pastor has relied on D.E. Nineham’s commentary on
Mark.
Although this is a healing story. . .it is one in which the person who advocates healing for someone else is NOT confirmed in the adequacy of their faith. Their faith is NOT KEY to the healing of the child. (See Mark 9:28) But Jesus says, to the father, “healing is possible for those who believe”. . .but the Father’s response is, “Help my UNBELIEF.”
What is the basis of this unbelief?
It isn’t science (that is a modern problem).
The Father’s dilemma is spiritual, not intellectual.
That father believed that the disciples and Jesus CAN heal —that isn’t the issue.
Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes.” The possibility of what? The father has believed all day in healing.
The disciples ARE also surprised that they could not heal the boy. And the disciples do not question their faith or the faith of the dad.
But the dad questions his own faith.
Is it possible that the Messiah (God) can care enough about one
dad and his one very sick child to heal them?
Can the Lord’s Messiah care so much about a child whose father has a weak faith –a weak faith concerning the Heavenly Father’s
love? And the answer is yes.
The father’s question is not a question about God’s power but a question about God’s love—"if you can. . .have pity on US”.
Recall the report on Jairus. . .(Mark 5:22-43, Luke 8:41-56)
Jairus is asked to “just believe” Believe what? Jairus already
knew that Jesus could heal. Then Jairus was being asked to
believe to trust Jesus in death. That is a leap of faith.
Did this father’s boy die? (Mark 9:26) Doesn’t matter.
The boy was restored to health either way.
Yes, our God, the Heavenly Father and His Messiah CAN care that much for a child and a father. . . and also you and me. Amen.
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