Jesus said to the father, “Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.”
Mark 9:23 ERV
In the preceding verses is a man who brought his son, possessed by an evil spirit to Jesus to be healed. The father described how terrible the experience usually is anytime the spirit seizes him. And out of love, he desires healing for the boy. However, I believe there’s more God would have us learn from this story, especially about the requirement to receiving anything from Him.
I can imagine the man must have heard some miraculous testimonies. Perhaps he might have witnessed some miracles himself before he decided to bring his son to be healed. But, like many of us, the man, at some point, expressed some doubt in the saviour. The father’s faith was ‘challenged’ by the disciples’ inability to heal the boy because of their lack of faith.
Meanwhile, it is important to identify and commend the father’s bold step of faith. While others were rallying around the Lord and His disciples for food, he came for something more valuable. He sought healing for his son and he received his desires. Likewise, he did not rush to take his back when he realized the disciples could not heal the boy. He waited until the Master returned to attend to his situation. But it seems the father was becoming weaker in his faith the longer the waiting.
Believe and Receive
However, Jesus replied to the man’s doubt and called his attention to a very important lesson, which I would like us to focus on at this moment; it is all about your faith. The possibility of receiving anything from God is not a question of God’s capability, but your readiness and willingness to trust God completely. With God, everything is always possible; you only need to believe.
The Lord Jesus is drawing our attention to a critical issue in this scripture. We can consider the issues raised about faith from this passage as a coin with two sides. On one end, lack of faith prevent the disciples from being able to heal the boy. The power to heal belongs to God, but they could not access it because of unbelief. On other side, the faith that received answer to prayer. In Matthew chapter eight, verse ten, the Lord Jesus commended the centurion for his unwavering faith.
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Matthew 8:10 NIV
But to the disciples and others who are unstable in their faith the Lord sternly rebuked.
“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
Mark 9:19 NIV
Therefore, it depends completely on you to decide where you belong. But I would like you to note this: “All things are possible for the one who believes”.