D. The Healing of a Young Demoniac (9:14-29)

From the mountaintop Jesus descends, like Moses, to find faithlessness (see 9:19; Ex 32). The turning point of the story comes when the boy’s father declares his faith and requests help in overcoming his unbelief. In whatever situation, then, disciples are called to respond with faith in Jesus. The passage also points forward to the time when Jesus' ministry will be passed on to his disciples. He reminds them of the centrality of prayer for equipping them for mission.