In Mark 9 a father has a son who is possessed by an evil spirit. The disciples tried to cast it out but it didn’t work. Jesus shows up to find his disciples arguing with the teachers of the law and inquires about all the commotion. The father of the possessed boy explains the situation and how the disciples tried and failed to heal the boy. In Mark 9:19 Jesus responds like this,
“You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
In verse 20 and 21 it reads like this,
“So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.”
Jesus’s question is really interesting, “How long has this been happening?”. I don’t think Jesus is just inquiring about the situation. What if this “unfixable problem” has been the source of unbelief, fear and doubt, and Jesus is getting to the root of the problem? Look at the fathers response in verse 22,
“He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
For a long time this boy has been possessed and the spirit tries to kill him. That would be horrific. That would easily create fear, doubt, worry, and unbelief. Which is what would cause the father to say, “ Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
It is so easy to make a conclusion based upon the circumstances. The only outcome the father has known is that this problem can’t be fixed. It would be easy to conclude that it is not God’s will for this boy to be free from this spirit, because nobody has been able to do it. This is how you create a theology based upon what didn’t happen.
But the story does not end there. Jesus in verse 23 says,
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
This father from his perspective created from his past experiences says, “Help us if you can.”. Jesus from his perspective say, “if I can?” as if to ask, “what kind of question is that?,” “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Jesus’ words create hope and faith that causes the father to respond in verse 24,
“The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Jesus causes the unbelief in the father’s heart to rise to the surface and meat the reality of truth and unlimited possibilities. Jesus turns the unbelief into belief. And in verses 25-27 it says,
“When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”
Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.”
Jesus healed the boy. Jesus only does what he sees the father doing and only says what he hears the father saying. That boy being set free was the will of God. Meaning you can’t pick and chose what is and isn’t God’s will based on circumstances, and what you see.
Later the disciples come to Jesus and asked him why they couldn’t heal the boy.
To be continued…..