Revelation Is Given to Empower Faith
Revelation may come on the mountaintop, but it is to be lived by faith in the Valleys.

 Mark 9:14-32 — Mark positions the Transfiguration and this valley confrontation side by side to teach that the purpose of revelation is not to make us spectators of glory, but to empower faith in real life.

 The disciples had previously run boldly into the situation, but found themselves overwhelmed and failing. Their FAILURE was noticed by Jesus’ CRITICS.

  • Attacking Jesus’ authority: The scribes use the disciples’ failure as evidence to discredit Jesus Himself.
  • Challenging the disciples’ credentials: They argue the disciples have no legitimate authority or training to perform exorcisms.
  • Publicly undermining the movement: The scribes seize the public moment to weaken trust in Jesus among the crowd.

 Discipleship Fails When We Rely on Formula Instead of Dependence

 Luke 10:20 is the antidote to the failure of Mark 9. What Jesus tells the 72 is precisely what the Twelve had forgotten in the valley:

  • Your deepest JOY is not in what you accomplish
  • Your deepest POWER is not in what you can perform
  • Your deepest SECURITY is that you belong to Christ

 Genuine Faith and Real Unbelief Often Coexist

 The father’s cry, “I believe; help my unbelief,” becomes the center-piece of the story.

In the gospel, faith is not the absence of doubt. It is bringing your doubt to Jesus. It is seeing need not as something to be SOLVED, but something to be RELEASED.

  • He TRUSTS Jesus with what he knows.
  • He ENTRUSTS Jesus with what he cannot resolve.
  • He brings both HOPE and FEAR under the authority of Christ.

“Only by Prayer” Redefines Power as Communion, Not Competence

Prayer is not a technique but a condition of communion: presence, partnership, dependence.  Because Power in the kingdom is not mechanical. It is relational.

  • Where in my life or ministry have I begun relying on experience, giftedness, or routine rather than ongoing dependence on Jesus?
  • How does my prayer life reveal what I truly believe about spiritual power, spiritual struggle, and my need for God?
  • When I face spiritual resistance or discouragement, do I instinctively turn to prayerful reliance—or to frustration, control, or self-effort?