This is what the father of a demon possessed boy said to Jesus. He had told Jesus, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
Jesus replied with a question: "'If you can?'" It was like He was making fun of the man, like "You are questioning Me?" He wasn't being pompous, but He was pointing out that it's kind of a silly question to ask the Son of God.
Later the disciples asked why they couldn't successfully cast the demon out earlier. Jesus' reply informed them that "this kind can come out only by prayer." This kind of reinforces the idea I blogged about the other day -- that using God's power meant staying in tune with the Father; asking Him what to do and then doing it. Apparently, they were just using a formula that went something like this: "Cast it out in the Name of Jesus, and you're good!" This didn't leave any room for God to do something unique or even make sure it was His will to do such and such. I bet that's what Jesus was reinforcing with this lesson. Any sort of miracle work needs to be done in conference with the Lord. We don't just run around with supernatural powers to use at our whim.
Earlier in Mark chapter 9 we read about the "Transfiguration." This was an amazing moment, where the clothes Jesus was wearing became "bright white -- brighter than any bleach could make a garment." Wow. That's a good way to describe how bright they were. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. I wonder what they told Him.
If Jews believed the accounts of the New Testament, surely this event would impact them. Two of their historical, prominent leaders were talking with Jesus, affirming Him in God's plan. I bet they were telling Him more about the suffering He would experience and the road to Golgotha. That's just my guess.
Afterward, Jesus told Peter, James and John not to talk about what they just saw ... "until the Son of Man had risen from the dead." They questioned each other about what Jesus must have meant when He said "risen from the dead."
After Jesus casts the deaf and mute demon out of that boy, He tells His disciples that "the Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise." They didn't know what He meant, and were afraid to ask Him about it. Poor guys. Later Jesus asked them about something they were talking about on the road. They didn't tell Him, so the next thing that apparently happened was Jesus addressed their private discussion about "who was the greatest." He told them that "if anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
He also holds a little boy and tells His disciples: "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My Name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One Who sent Me."
The disciples also ask him about another man driving out demons in the Name of Jesus, who wasn't a part of their group. Jesus told them to not stop the guy. "No one who does a miracle in My Name can in the next moment say anything bad about Me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My Name because You belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."
Then He goes on to talk about the grave punishment someone will get if they make a little child stumble. He really stands out as a defender of the poor, weak, young, and underdog by saying this. It's tough love in action. This kinda proves that He wasn't just a peace-loving always-gentle kinda guy. When the situation called for it, He could be very firm and intimidating.
This chapter, like many in Mark, just covers a LOT of ground. The tail end of the chapter elaborates a little bit on hell. He urged them to take drastic action to avoid stumbling into sin and Hell, like plucking an eye out or removing a foot; "for it is better to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into Hell." He describes Hell as a place where, "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched."
It kinda says something when the leader of our movement says more about Hell than most anyone else in the while group.
"Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness,
how can you make it salty again?
Have salt in yourselves,
and be at peace with each other."