Let’s look at Mark 9:14-32, Here, we find a man bringing his son to Jesus because the disciples have been unable to cast out the demon living in his son. Verse 19 “He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.”

We read in verse 25 that the Lord graciously casts out the demonic spirit, but why this expression in verse 19? Why such a strong response from the Lord? Everything revealed here in this verse indicates the Lord Jesus’ exasperation over the entire situation.

The frustration of the Lord is over:

1. The gloating of the scribes in Jesus’ name!
2. The harm done to the crowd who was watching.
3. Their failure was in light of the power they had been given.

They had been given the gift, but they didn’t have the power! They had all the ability, but no willingness for sacrifice! They lost touch with what it was all about. Caught up in the “I’m with Jesus” movement they didn’t have what they needed to be able to be who Jesus Christ had mandated them to be.

The frustration and the irritation were all about His children not living up to their potential. Like a parent who sees all that their child could be, if they would just pay the price and do what’s required to not only have the gift but have the POWER!!!

A Christian can be gifted to sing, serve, and teach, A woman can be gifted as a mother, and a man can be gifted to father. A preacher can be gifted to preach. But, if they have no prayer life, or if they are not willing to sacrifice, to fast and seek God, they will never have any power!

Just like the disciples we are living in an age of great gifts, great exposure, and lots of people in the crowd watching but we have no power!