Mk. 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Imagine the disappointment of the father who brought his mute-spirited son to the disciples expecting a miracle without receiving it. He explained to Jesus that this condition had been with his son since childhood and this last failed attempt by the disciples to cast out the spirit surely left him without much hope. He said to Jesus, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Essentially, what he was saying to Jesus was, "If You have power, then You'll see my faith." Disappointment leads to doubt. It causes us to really wonder 'if'.
Jesus' response included those same three words. If you can. "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." In other words, "If you have faith, then you'll see My power." Do you see that power was never the issue for Jesus? Faith was.
I like the Message Bible translation of this verse.
Mk. 9:23 Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."
Disappointment can cause us to question our faith., to even question the power and ability of God. But we must not lose faith. We must not doubt God by asking if He can when He already tells us, "If you can...".
Sock Monkey Snippet: There are no 'ifs' among believers.
1 comment:
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Lord, I as the mother of a very hurt and troubled daughter cries out with tears and I say: Lord, I believe: help thou mine unbelief.
Post a Comment