One of the stories in Mark that I have been looking at recently with some of the students, is a story of a father’s request to Jesus to heal his child. (Mark 9:20 – 24)

Jesus is confronted by a scene of confusion where His disciples have failed to cast out an evil spirit from a boy. The boy is writhing on the ground and frothing at the mouth. The boy’s father is desperate.

Jesus calmly looks over the situation and ignoring the turmoil and confusion in front of Him, turns to the boy’s dad and asks, “How long has this been going on”? The dad replies, “from childhood”. Then the dad says, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

I love Jesus reply, He says “What do you mean, ‘if I can’?” “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The dad hardly lets Jesus reply before he blurts out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” The dad is basically saying, I do have some belief and I really want my boy to be healed, but I also have doubts, and I’m not sure if it is possible, so please help me to be more trusting.

Jesus reached down and lifted the boy to his feet, and he was made well.

Do we ever adopt a ‘if you can’ belief? How often do we ask for help, but don’t fully trust or believe that God will hear us or help us? Like the boy’s father, sometimes we forget who we are dealing with – God, who has the power to do anything. Matthew 19:26 says “With God all things are possible”.

This story demonstrates that Jesus hears us no matter what amount of faith we have. He loves us and accepts us just how we are, even if our belief or faith are not strong. Like the dad in the story, we just have to call out with what little faith we have and make a choice to believe, and Jesus will help us with the rest.

Have a great week,

Chaplain Phil