Last week, we saw the radiant glory of Jesus on the mountaintop. This week, in Mark 9:14–29, we find Him stepping down into the valley—a place filled with confusion, chaos, and weak faith. The contrast is striking: on the mountain, a Father’s voice declared His pleasure in His Son; in the valley, a father pleads for the life of his son. The disciples who had just witnessed divine glory are now powerless against demonic darkness. Yet this is where Jesus chooses to go. He steps into the mess to reveal that His strength is not for the heights of human experience but for the depths of our need.

When the desperate father brings his demon-possessed boy to Jesus, he says, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus’ response is both firm and tender: “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” The father’s c ...