The man was so distressed, yet he heard that Jesus and his disciples could help. So he took his son, his wild, demon-possessed, son, and took him to where he heard Jesus and the disciples were at.

Jesus was gone along with the three of his inner circle. So the man asked the other disciples to pray for his son. Nothing could help. But he was assured this supposed prophet and his disciples could help.

The disciples prayed.

Nothing.

They prayed again.

Nothing.

They likely prayed even harder.

Still nothing.

The man was utterly distressed. Hope was crushed yet again. His beautiful son who was tormented by demons was the same.

But then Jesus came.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.  And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.  And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.  And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”  

The father begged. BEGGED Jesus to help his son.

The father was so desperate.

Then Jesus says something so strange.

Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”  

Who was he talking to here? The father? The disciples?

We know from the Greek that the word “you” here is plural in form. So he was talking to more than just the father.

But how is it that they are unbelieving and perverse? That Jesus had to “put up” with them? Sounds harsh, doesn’t it?

Perhaps Jesus is referring the same kind of unbelief that was in the time of Moses. They didn’t believe God after seeing all that God had done.

“They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation” (Deut 32:5).

We also read from the other gospels that have this same story that the disciples were frustrated they couldn’t cast the demon out. Jesus said it was because they lacked faith (Mt 17:19-21).

In the gospel of Mark we also read that the father asks, “if” you can cast it out. To which Jesus calls him also to greater faith (Mark 9:22-23). This is where the Father gives the famous response of “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

It seems that they were not the only ones arguing about this (Mark 9:14-17). It seems the issue of this boy’s lack of deliverance caused conflict between the disciples and the scribes.

So in essence, Jesus walked into a scene where everyone was kung fu fighting.

(Sorry to the internationals for a cultural reference but it just fit here.)

Anyway, it really was a mess. The disciples were frustrated and angry. The father was frustrated and helpless. The scribes were probably rubbing it in that the disciples could do nothing. What mayhem.

No wonder Jesus is frustrated with them. And it was all from the lack of faith. From everyone.

But Jesus had mercy on the boy.

While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.  And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

They went from everyone arguing to everyone astonished at the majesty of God. But then Jesus says something strange.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples,  “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”  

Jesus rescues the day. He delivers this boy from demons. Then in the middle of this celebration and marveling, Jesus tells them to listen carefully. He is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.

The disciples were so confused.

But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Jesus said it. But their eyes were concealed for now. Jesus had told them to listen carefully. Because after Jesus was betrayed, he was going to be crucified. Then they would remember it.

But why did he say this right then? Right on the heels of this great deliverance?

Perhaps it was because he didn’t want them to be lost in the opinions of man. Man can celebrate you in one moment and crucify you in the next. It happens all the time.

Or perhaps he didn’t want them to lose sight of the cost of serving. It would mean betrayal when kingdoms clashed.

Or even maybe that no matter how much he helped people, people do not want truth and love regardless.

We don’t know for sure. But even in this glorious moment, Jesus wanted to let them know he was going to be betrayed by men.

And here’s something to think about too.

If these things happened to Jesus even though he did all these amazing things, do not be surprised when the same happens to us, his followers.