Help our Unbelief!

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 fire and into 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[d] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Mark 9:20-27 ESV

I have been reading through the Gospels lately, and today I hit Mark chapter 9. Here you have the disciples arguing with religious leaders. The disciples tried to cast out a demon, but they failed. I assume that the teachers of the law seized that opportunity to attack this new teaching. It’s obvious from verse 19 that Jesus is disgusted by the whole mess. Then we see the above quoted exchange.

What resonated with me this morning was how we react today when Jesus is ready to act on our behalf.

Here is Jesus, he has the power to heal the boy, and is willing to do it. The father just has to ask. But how does he ask? Half-hearted without hope or belief that it will happen. The father knows of Jesus, otherwise he would not have approached his disciples. He knows in his head what Jesus can do, but he doesn’t believe it in his heart.

I know in my head how Jesus has come through in the past. I know what he can do. I know he has the power to do anything in any situation.

How many times does that knowledge translate into truly believing he will do something?

Lord, Help our unbelief!

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