A Call to Faith. Mark 9:20-24.
And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. “And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe, help my unbelief!”
Dear People Who Belong to God,
Jesus called for the boy with the evil spirit to be brought to him.
Drama (v. 20). As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it convulsed the boy, probably hoping to do whatever final damage it could, before its inevitable surrender. Evil does not give up easily, even when it knows it is defeated. It will try to do whatever damage it can and cause as much fear as possible.
Description (vv. 21-22). When Jesus asked the father about the boy’s condition, it was not because he did not know, but so that the crowd would know what he was dealing with. The demon purposed to destroy the boy and threw him into the water to drown him and fire to get him burned. There is no good in the kingdom of darkness. Jesus said it well, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
Declaration (vv. 23-24). The man is tentative about Jesus’ ability to help. Apparently, he is more assured of Jesus’ willingness than of Jesus’ ability. The Dearth of Faith (v. 23). Jesus challenges the man’s lack of faith with the declaration that “All things are possible for one who believes.” The challenge is clear – do not expect anything from God if you do not believe. On the other hand, when you believe, you can expect God to make the impossible possible. The Desire for Faith (v. 24). The man gets the message and cries out for help. His is both an acknowledgment of the desire to believe, and the failure to believe. There are times when we face a crisis of belief. We want to believe but are unable to. That is not the time to give up. It is the time to ask for help, that we may believe.
Your Loving Pastor Chris