The others had waited for Jesus and the three at the base of the mountain. As was the usual case, a crowd had gathered to see Jesus and seek his help. In the crowd were a man and his son whom the disciples had failed to deliver from demonic control.

When his disciples asked why they had failed to deliver the child, Jesus said it was because of their lack of faith. The implication of his reply is that our conviction as to God’s direction and power is an element that can either enhance or inhibit God’s work. Success in spiritual warfare is a partnership with God. He provides the empowerment and we supply the execution. Our execution is limited by our expectancy of success. Seemingly from what Jesus said, an adequate conviction only comes by our own strengthening through fasting and prayer.

Jesus also seemingly offers an opportunity to exercise our will to do anything we please if we have enough faith, but that’s not quite right. He assumes the prerequisite that the action is within God’s will. We are not free to go on our own, and rearrange God’s geography. What Jesus is saying is that we have no limitation on what we do, as long as it is by God’s directive.