May 8: RECOGNIZING AUTHORITY (part 2)
[Jesus] answered [the boy’s father] and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring [the boy] to Me.” Mark 9:19
While it is true that we are given glimpses of the “mountaintop of glory” (vv.1-7) that is not where we live day-to-day. Jesus wants us to bring our knowledge of Him into the demon-possessed “valley of humiliation.” We are to apply what we know of Him to the situations we encounter as we walk through life in this fallen world. That is the real test of faith: faith that moves directly into faithfulness. It is not enough just to believe… Even the demons believe . . . (James 2:19).
The boy’s father described his son to Jesus as having “a mute spirit” (Mark 9:17), adding “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.” The stress of fearing for his son’s life each day was piled atop the mistaken beliefs about the Messiah, as taught by the religious leaders of the day.*
“…if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” This dear father wanted help for his son, yet included himself in the plea, saying “us”. Satan’s physical and mental afflictions affect those around a loved one who is suffering. Any help for this boy would bless the father also, who desired to own an unwavering faith in the God of compassion. He honestly admitted his own internal struggle.
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (vv.23-24).
As he recognized the authority of Jesus, he also—in that moment—realized that correct beliefs had great potential to positively affect his beloved child. His cry, uttered in all sincerity, is one we would do well to express from our own hearts to the Lord. It is profound in its poignancy: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”
Beloved, it is always appropriate to ask the Lord for His help. He knows our needs better than we do. Under the heavy hand of our spiritual archenemy, this world has foisted errors and incorrect assumptions upon every one of us. If we are to overcome these things, we must choose to yield to the leading of His Holy Spirit, which will never contradict His word. Jesus prayed:
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17
*Among the most popular mistaken beliefs at that time regarding the Messiah was the misapplication of Old Testament verses about His second coming in glory. Examples are Psalm 50:3; 97:3; Isaiah 66:15-16. They interpreted them as a military overthrow of the Roman government while totally ignoring the prophecies regarding the Lord’s humble birth and ignominious execution.
To be continued…