Mark 9:21-24 Help Me Overcome My Unbelief

Our text is set in the midst of Christ's ministry. A father, a follower of Jesus, brought his son who had been demonized. The demon had so much influence that he was able to cause the boy to throw himself into the fire and into water. The teachers of the law seem to have intercepted him and when Jesus came to the crowd He found them arguing. Jesus asks the scribes what the "issue" or "questioning" was all about and the father steps forward.

Was the debate over his request or was he so anxious for Jesus deliver his son from demonic influence that he interrupted the Scribes? The father had faith that Jesus could help, but it was a weak faith. "...if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus is as much concerned with the faith of this man as he was about the condition of the boy. "If you can?"

"If you can?" How often we find ourselves in this position of "half faith". We know Jesus well enough to trust him for many things but there are others about which we are not very confident. I do not say we should be presumptuous. There are many things about which we do not have answers. In those cases our confidence in Jesus should drive us to Him and His word that we might learn His will and approach Him in faith.

"If you can?" It seems that this man should have known, by now, that Jesus could, and would, deliver His son. It is not the first deliverance in his ministry. Surely the Father knew that Jesus turned no one away, but healed everyone who came to Him, even as the Apostles did  (Acts 5:16 ). The Lord does not rebuke us needlessly, but does expect that we should mature in our faith. He reminds this one, who should have known better, to come in faith.

The response of the Father is instructive. "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!" Now that I can identify with. There is no question about the ability of Jesus to accomplish anything He desires. He is able! There is a question about my faith to trust Him for it. Like the Father we must all cry out, at times. "Lord, help my unbelief!"

"Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us faith and for strengthening our faith daily. Continue to challenge us to true faith and confidence that we can live in complete trust, knowing that You do all things well. Make us people of faith. Perfect us in faith. We pray in Jesus Name ... Amen".

Bob Goldsby

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City Harvest Church Vancouver, WA