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 "O 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 him 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 evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
This story takes place right after the transfiguration. Jesus had taken Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and was transfigured before them – His form fundamentally altered and His clothes became dazzling white –Moses and Elijah also appeared before them talking with Jesus. Jesus, Peter, James and John were coming from that scene on to this one. The other disciples and the teachers of the law were arguing presumably over the disciples’ lack of ability to heal this demon possessed child. Demonic possession was the worst form of human suffering produced by Satan’s agency. Jesus had already given authority to drive out demons to the disciples, hence the rebuke. We are told in Mark: 13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles --that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-15 (NIV) In compassion, Jesus tells them to bring the boy to Him. He asks the father how long has he been like this. The father responds since childhood and then asks “But if you can do anything” – Incredulous, Jesus responds “If you can?” This man is asking the Creator of all things if He has the ability? Hell-o, what is he thinking? One very important aspect of faith is knowing that He is able. Jesus responds with “Everything is possible for him who believes”. Contrast this to the man with leprosy in Matthew who came to Jesus knowing He could heal him – and in compassion Jesus cleansed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Matt 8:1-3 (NIV) The word “willing” screams out in the above passage. Sometimes God does not change the circumstance, heal the physical body or provide a “Yes” to all of our requests. When this is the case, there is always a greater good to be accomplished through what He is allowing - both for us and for others. Two verses pop into my mind. Paul states: 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV) And Jesus Himself asks: 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matt 26:39 (NIV) A greater good was at stake – not the least of which was our salvation. Our loving and compassionate Father is a good and perfect Giver and delights to bestow “good gifts” to His children – always believe that even if the answer is “No” – there is so much more at stake that we do not see (I Corinthians 13:12). Even through the above example of our Scripture for today we can see by waiting more people were present for the miracle; the dad became convinced of Jesus’ ability and his faith was strengthened; and the disciples learned from the lesson (Mark 9:28-29).