One word for an entire year. The idea was intriguing so last year I concentrated on the word “Faith”. This year, through unfolding circumstances, I felt drawn to the word “Believe”
Jesus takes three disciples up a mountain to be alone, leaving the rest behind. Upon their return, He finds them all arguing and one of the men in the crowd explains. “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. [You were not here….] So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” (Mark 9:17-18, NLT)
“Jesus said to them,
“You faithless people! How long must I be with you?” (verse 19)
In Jesus’ absence, this father asked the disciples to heal his son, who had been possessed of a demon for some time. But they could not do it.
The questions Jesus asks is thought provoking. In the brief time apart from Jesus, unbelief had overcome the disciples. Jesus knew the time was approaching when He would be physically removed from their presence permanently.
Jesus turns His attention back to the father, asking about the condition of the boy,
“How long has this been happening?” (verse 23)
Again Jesus asks a “how long” question. The father explains the desperate situation and says, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (verse 22).
If? The man obviously believed Jesus would be able to heal his son or he would never have sought Him out. Now he seems to be not so sure. The inability of the disciples to help him has created some unbelief in the man.
Unbelief is contagious.
“What do you mean, “If I can?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (verse 23)
The father then cries out with an oft quoted Scripture, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (verse 24)
He recognized that while he does in fact, believe, it is still mixed with unbelief. He admits his belief is imperfect.
The inability of the disciples seems to have also impacted the ability of the father to believe.
And this is where “Faith” and “Believe” intersected.
In order for us to have faith and to believe in the midst of difficulties, we must spend time with Jesus. When we are apart from Him for a length of time, we will waver, our belief will weaken. We will doubt.
Our faith must be maintained and renewed. The disciples learned a hard lesson that day and we must relearn this lesson in our day.
This father, in that moment, recognized his weakened faith. He knew he still believed in Jesus yet he also admitted, and confessed, his unbelief.
Jesus asks us as well, “How long?”
How long will we remain in our weakened state of unbelief?
Perhaps He asks so that we will come to realize …
It is not a matter of whether He will or will not grant our request.
It is …
Will we believe that He can?
How long will it take?
This is Day 13 of 31 Questions Jesus Asked. You can find the entire series here.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and Intentional Tuesday and Reflect and True Story and #RaRaLinkup .
Thank you for the reminder that spending time with Jesus is vital if we are to grow in our trust and faith and believe him to answer.
It is vital & I am learning the short spurts of prayer count as well 🙂
That how long question from Jesus changes how I look at that passage. Good reminders.
As I am stopping to think on each of the questions Jesus asked, I am finding each question to being about change. Have a blessed week!
I’ve uttered these words many a time–and there is comfort in admitting that I don’t have perfect beliefs (or perfect anything, for that matter). God always answers that prayer with more faith and more belief.
Anita, you make a great point – even our prayers do not need to be spoken in perfection. I am so grateful for the times He read my heart & turned my thoughts into a perfect prayer before the throne.
I am thinking about the verse “How long will you halt between two opinions. — and the verse = A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. We are often just like the father who brought his son to Jesus. We believe, (sort of) and our faith is weak but still there a bit. Your answer is true – we must spend time with Jesus to build up our faith and our belief. I am so glad Jesus took mercy and healed this boy. Thank you for sharing your post with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, the verse you shared from James has often made me stop to think. So grateful He takes our little faith, our imperfectly spoken prayers & presents them before the Father on our behalf. May God grow us both this week!
It is a joy sharing “believe” with you and hearing your thoughts, Joanne. In order to maintain and strengthen our faith, we need time in His presence, time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Thank you, friend, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Thank you, Crystal. You truly are working hard to encourage all who participate each week in the linkup. May we all find our faith growing & strengthening as we encourage one another in Him.
Enjoyed seeing how important it is for us to stay connected with Jesus on a daily basis if we are going to believe Him. Good lead in for my devotional today.
Thank you, Joanne, for dropping in at my place.
Janis, it is always good to read your words. And see your smiling face as it seems to boast of “joy”. Connection with Jesus & His Word is vital for Him to continually breathe life into our faith. So grateful He does each time we come to Him.