SCRIPTURE: Mark 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” [Mark 9:23-24] I have often used these words myself, they describe how I often feel about my own weak faith. This passage presents Jesus as a glorious messiah prepared to suffer and die. I have an academic faith, I can say that I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but in practice I seem to doubt what He can do, and I also resist doing what He calls me to do. Though Jesus is gracious and patient, no doubt there are times when He sadly shakes His head at us, at me.
This passage shows the disciples quarrelling about position and power, instead of learning from Jesus about humility and sacrifice. They want to challenge someone who does not belong to them. Jesus pushes them to look inward, to consider their own commitment and the radical meaning of living for Jesus. I do believe, but I am holding back, resisting, doubting.
Following Jesus demands humility, sacrifice, surrender, compassion, generosity, willingness to suffer in order to bless others. This is the path Jesus walked, and this is the path He calls us to walk. I do sense that following Jesus is much more radical, more demanding than typical christianity has characterized it. But denouncing others is not where Jesus is leading me, He is pushing me to look inward as well.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” I have so much to grow, so much to learn, so much to do. I am stuck on worldly concerns (fear, reputation, success, pleasure) which is no different than the disciples quarrelling about position and power. Jesus is calling me to deal with, to root out, the sources of unbelief and doubt. He impresses on me how great He is (transfiguration), how gracious He is (self-sacrifice), and how He wants me to be (like a child, trusting, eager to root out sin and demonstrate grace). These are the qualities that ought to characterize my life as a Jesus-follower.
Practically speaking, I sense the Spirit of Jesus gently pressing me to start acting on the radical side of christian living. Stop talking about it, stop saying I believe it, start living it!
PRAYER:
Lord, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
How often are we impulse driven just like Peter? We need the eyes to see and the ears to hear to do the will of the Lord. Just as the passage said, Listen to Him! and the next verse states clearly that they saw only Jesus! Just like child like faith. When the Sonday school choildren are asked a question their first response is always Jesus. My first response must also be Jesus. Today and evry day, God Is First.
But is He? Where is my focus during the busyness of the day? Where are my thoughts? All too often it is me first. Forget others. I must need to commit all to the Lord and see Him in all I do and say. I must keep my eyes on Jesus, today and always.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!