October 6, 2022
Beloved in Christ, I greet and bless you in the name of our Creator, Maker, and ever unforgettable Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed word that the Lord has given for you today is from the book of Mark 9:23,”And Jesus said to him, ” ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good, through the power of the Holy Spirit, healing all manner of sickness, and delivering all who were oppressed of the devil. His object was not simply a ‘quick-fix’ physical cure for the moment, but a ‘long-term’ spiritual healing, with eternal consequences. When approached by those who desired healing, the Lord Jesus made sure he addressed the ‘faith’ issue, and the healing of the demon-possessed boy demonstrates this in a beautiful way. Jesus clearly says, in the above context that all things are possible to them that believe. When Jesus descended from the mountain , down to the valley there He saw a distressed father, who sought healing for his demon-possessed child. Jesus and the three disciples, Peter, James and John, enjoyed the glimpse of heavenly realm on the mountain, but soon they returned to the stark reality of a groaning creation, life’s seemingly endless problems, and their own limited understanding which depressed their spirit.
A distraught father had come to ask Jesus to heal his son. All Christ’s disciples had been given the power and authority to heal the sick and cast out demons, but when attempting to heal this man’s son – they failed miserably. Jesus looked at the man and said, If you can believe all things are possible.” The Father immediately replied to Jesus, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”The devastated man hurriedly said, all that had happened as Jesus drew near. Out of the crowd, the man approached Him, “Teacher,” he pleaded, “I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, he has convulsions; it throws him down; he foams at the mouth; grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”He further pleaded, “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us,” was the father’s heartbroken request. The disciples who were empowered to perform mighty miracles in Christ’s name and preach the gospel of the kingdom, were powerless to cast out this dumb spirit and so Jesus rebuked them and said, “This kind, can be cast out only by prayer. … He said to them, “This kind is able to come forth with nothing except with prayer and fasting. Jesus emphasised the need of fasting and praying.
The father had previously heard that Jesus had performed many miracles for the people. And since all his attempt he had taken to save his son from the evil spirit, had been a failure, he approached Jesus. He had faint faith in Jesus, yet he thought that something good would happen to his son. Therefore he came in search of this miracle working God. He said, Lord, I have brought my son to you, he is possessed with a mute spirit, and whenever it seizes him, he throws him down ,he foams, at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. Kindly take pity on us and heal my son, O Lord. When Jesus saw the young man, the spirit convulsed, himself and fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, “ How long, has this been happening to your son? And the father replied, “From childhood days, he has been caught up by an evil spirit. And he is dumb and mute, and deaf.”
But Christ’s compassionate heart quickly turned to the man and his mute son and Jesus gently picked-up on his faltering faith and hesitant entreaty. “If You can?” He said again, “All things are possible to him who believes.” It was not Christ’s ability to heal, was being tested, for He created all things and by Him all things hold together. It was the man’s faith in Christ, that had been severely impacted. It was his faith that Jesus needed to restore. But by God’s grace he was able to cry out, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” So we see that and he was rewarded. His son was healed and immediately his faith in Jesus also increased. Faith sets no limit on God’s ability, for the one who is ready and willing to trust Him in all things, submit to His will, and not permit mountainous problems or seemingly impossible situations to adversely influence their faith in God’s ability, is the one who will witness great things in their life. For Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His ability to heal the broken-hearted, cast our demons, set the captive free, make the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, has never diminished over time. For as Prophet Jeremiah reminds us, “nothing is too difficult for You.” Yes God will do miracles in your life.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons we learn from the man who cried out to the Lord Jesus for help, and was reminded that, “all things are possible to him who believes.” May we never forget that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that Your power to heal and help in every situation is as sure today as it was when You healed the sick and turned water into wine 2000 years ago. Keep us from doubting Your Word, and increase our faith in the days ahead. Lord, we do believe, in You O Lord. Increase our love and trust for You.
In Jesus Name We Pray.
Amen.
