In Mark 9 we find the story of a father coming to Jesus asking Him to heal his son who was possessed by an evil spirit that would cause him to convulse, foam at the mouth, and throw himself into the water and into the fire. The man had asked Jesus’ disciples to cast the demon out, but they could not do it. This is interesting because the disciples certainly had experience with healing and deliverance, but this time they could not help the man and his son. The father said to Jesus,
“But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:22-24, NASB)1
Some versions of the Bible translate Jesus’ question as a statement: “If you can BELIEVE, all things are possible to him who believes.” This makes it sound like the burden is on us to heal ourselves or drum up faith. However, in the original Greek manuscript that word “believe” is not in Jesus’ question. He simply said, “If You can?” The New Living Translation says it like this: “ What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus was saying in effect, “What a ridiculous question! OF COURSE I CAN!”
When He said, “All things are possible to him who believes,” I think that He is referring to HIMSELF! In the context, that’s the only thing that makes sense. Who else was believing? Were the disciples? Was the father of the possessed child? Were the people? It looks to me like the only Person on the premises whose faith wasn’t counteracted by unbelief was Jesus Himself. His disciples had faith to do miracles, but I believe that they saw this boy convulsing, and their faith was clouded by what their natural eyes were beholding.
Jesus is the One who never doubts. He’s the One we need to be beholding. The father said, “Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief!” Jesus’ response? He simply cast the demon out. We need to believe that with Jesus all things are possible. See Him and unbelief will flee!
(from pages 340-341 of Unveiling Jesus)
Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
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1Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
