But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 

Mark 9:42 

Christ spoke directly about the abuse of children. In other contexts He manifested His great love of children by saying, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.’ He took little children up in His arms and blessed them. He reserved one of His strongest condemnations for those who abuse children. Our text is that statement. In essence, He is saying that child abuse is a capital offense worthy of death. If we believe Christ and His words as being prescriptive for the way we should view life, this is His position on the abuse of children. He applies it most specifically to the little ones, ‘who believe in me.’ Thus there is a particular onus laid upon those who interact with these little ones who believe in Christ. In our social context we are observing the bringing to light of a host of people, especially in positions of religious authority, who have habitually abused children who were under their care. The evidence mounts higher and higher; the incidences grow in number to astronomical proportions. What does Christ have to say about these people who have thus treated His little ones who believe in Him? ‘It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.’ 

Our Holy and Just God, 
we rejoice that You see what goes on in the earth. 
We praise You that You will bring to justice, 
all who have done evil. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you , come out of him and enter him no more! Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 

Mark 9:24-27 

Christ delivers. Having had the exchange with the man who had the demon-possessed son regarding his need of faith, Christ satisfies his deepest desire. The passage before us describes how Christ casts out the demon. The demon departed so violently, it appeared the boy was dead. Christ takes him by the hand and lifts him up. What do we learn from this? Jesus never fails. He never disappoints those who believe in Him. He always delivers. We have many deficiencies in our understanding of what He is doing, but once we come to the place of understanding, we testify, ‘He has done all things well.’ Very often we see Him at work and fail to appreciate what He is doing, but we will find at the end He has made no mistakes and has worked all things together for good to us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The man cried out, ‘Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!’ Christ did just that. He restored his son to health and the demon went away to disturb him no more. Christ is abundantly able. He is able to save; able to keep; able to heal; able to sanctify; able to glorify; able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. He is the cure for our unbelief.  

Our Glorious, Living Savior, 
we rejoice that You are utterly worthy of our faith. 
We praise You that You accomplish all that You intend,
for our good.

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! 

Mark 9:24 

Who can help us with our unbelief? We are very much like the man in our text. He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ We believe. We believe God is, that He has revealed Himself in creation and in His word. We believe that Christ is the Living Word of Whom the written word speaks. We believe He is the Lord, as the man called Him. We believe He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the only way to the Father. We have faith in Him and in all He has done to fulfil the law in precept and in penalty. We believe He is the only Redeemer, Who is made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Although we believe all these things and many more, there remains within us the unbelief that dogs us every day in our walk of faith. How often do we cry with the man, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ The lovely fact is the man went to the right person for the increase of his faith. We will not gain more faith by looking to religion, organizations, programs or within ourselves. Christ helps our unbelief. He is the One Who increases our faith. The man went to the right Person, and we have the same opportunity. With him we cry, ‘Help my unbelief! 

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that You are worthy of our faith. 
We praise You that we can appeal to You 
to increase our faith. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning