I do believe

Mark 9:14-29

¹⁴ When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. ¹⁵ As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

¹⁶ “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

¹⁷ A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. ¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

¹⁹ “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.”

²⁰ So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

²¹ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

²³ “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

²⁶ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

²⁸ After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁹ He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

All of us face challenging situations that affect our lives and faith. In Mark 9:14-29, we read about the father of a boy possessed by a demon since childhood. This father had likely spent time, money and effort seeking help for his boy – all of which had not made a difference. Without healing or cure, the father continued to live in fear of when his son would next be seized and thrown into a life-threatening situation.

It makes sense that the fathers request of Jesus is “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” He is desperate for help and has some faith, yet experience had informed his unbelief and shaped his expectations. Is there a situation in your life where you have taken this perspective too?

Jesus responds, “What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Anything is possible if a person believes.” Jesus directly challenges the father’s unbelief, identifying that the father has allowed unbelief to govern his faith and actions. I can imagine it was a shock to hear that, yet it enabled the father to fight the unbelief. He responds, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”.

We all face situations where we experience unbelief in Jesus. Jesus is the good physician who mercifully helps us see our sin, and helps us to overcome it. Let’s ask God to reveal and help our unbelief today.

Lord God, thank you that you are merciful. Thank you that you are holy and good, even when we are faced with situations that wear us down and tempt us to doubt you. Lord, please help us in our unbelief today. Reveal to us where we are doubting, help us to welcome your discipline, and help us to fight for faith in you again. Amen.

Written by Ps. Andie Molteno