What Is Faith · Day 1
Mark 9:17-27 — a devotion
Mark 9
- 17무리 중에 하나가 대답하되 선생님 벙어리 귀신 들린 내 아들을 선생님께 데려왔나이다And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;
- 18귀신이 어디서든지 저를 잡으면 거꾸러져 거품을 흘리며 이를 갈며 그리고 파리하여 가는지라 내가 선생의 제자들에게 내어쫓아 달라 하였으나 저희가 능히 하지 못하더이다And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”
- 19대답하여 가라사대 믿음이 없는 세대여 내가 얼마나 너희와 함께 있으며 얼마나 너희를 참으리요 그를 내게로 데려오라 하시매He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
- 20이에 데리고 오니 귀신이 예수를 보고 곧 그 아이로 심히 경련을 일으키게 하는지라 저가 땅에 엎드러져 굴며 거품을 흘리더라And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
- 21예수께서 그 아비에게 물으시되 언제부터 이렇게 되었느냐 하시니 가로되 어릴 때부터니이다And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?” He said, “From childhood.
- 22귀신이 저를 죽이려고 불과 물에 자주 던졌나이다 그러나 무엇을 하실 수 있거든 우리를 불쌍히 여기사 도와 주옵소서And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
- 23예수께서 이르시되 할 수 있거든이 무슨 말이냐 믿는 자에게는 능치 못할 일이 없느니라 하시니Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
- 24곧 그 아이의 아비가 소리를 질러 가로되 내가 믿나이다 나의 믿음 없는 것을 도와주소서 하더라And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
- 25예수께서 무리의 달려 모이는 것을 보시고 그 더러운 귀신을 꾸짖어 가라사대 벙어리 되고 귀먹은 귀신아 내가 네게 명하노니 그 아이에게서 나오고 다시 들어가지 말라 하시매When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
- 26귀신이 소리지르며 아이로 심히 경련을 일으키게 하고 나가니 그 아이가 죽은 것 같이 되어 많은 사람이 말하기를 죽었다 하나And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.”
- 27예수께서 그 손을 잡아 일으키시니 이에 일어서니라But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Mark's Gospel was written by Mark for the Christians in Rome. It emphasizes Jesus' actions and power, and its structure progressively reveals who Jesus is. This passage comes right after the Transfiguration. On the mountain, God's glory was revealed, but at the foot of the mountain, the disciples stood bewildered because they could not cast out a demon. Mark placed this contrast deliberately, showing what role faith plays between the glory of heaven and the reality of earth. In Jewish society at that time, demon possession meant terrible suffering, and this father, having watched his son suffer for a long time, came to Jesus in desperation.
Reflection questions: 1. Have I ever honestly confessed the weakness of my faith before God? 2. What is a concrete situation in my life right now where faith is needed? 3. How does it comfort me that I can come to God even with imperfect faith?
Today's reflection
In this passage, a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus. The disciples had already tried to heal him and failed. Jesus says, "All things are possible to him that believeth," and the father honestly confesses, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
What stands out in this scene is that Jesus did not demand perfect faith. The father's faith was incomplete, but he acknowledged his lack and asked Jesus for help. Jesus received that honest confession and healed the boy.
Faith is not a state completely free of doubt. Rather, coming to God even in the midst of doubt and fear is itself faith. Saying, like this father, "My faith is weak — please help me" is also a genuine expression of faith.
Do you feel like your faith is weak right now? That's okay. God is not looking only for people with perfect faith. That one step of coming to God just as you are, lacking and all, is already the beginning of faith. Draw near to God today with an honest heart.
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