“Journey to the Cross” Faith”

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Last week, in the 7th chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we considered those things that keep us from living a pure and wholesome life. Jesus proclaimed that these issues can only come from an “unclean heart” (Mark 7:17-23). It wasn’t a very pleasant list, and probably touched everyone of us in one way or another. I don’t think Jesus meant it so much as a condemnation on us, as it was to be a challenge, a call, to reevaluate our life’s actions and make some very important corrections.
But I think that Jesus would also want us to know that these changes can never come about by our own volition – that they can only happen through our trust and faith in him.

There’s an old saying – “If we don't change where we're going, we'll end up where we're headed.” Almost sounds like a Yogi Berra-ism, doesn’t it! Regardless, it works for me!! Change will always be a necessity if we intend to walk with Jesus throughout this life.
And even the disciples would eventually discover that there were many things about their lives that had to change.

Read Mark 9:14-18

The disciples had been with Jesus for some time, and had seen all the things that he had done. In chapter 8 of Mark’s gospel, Jesus takes his band to Caesarea Philippi, a pagan place of worship, and asks them, first, who the world says he is, and second, who they say he is. Peter, the impetus one, replies emphatically that he is the Christ – the Messiah, the anointed one of God. (Mark 8:27-30) For them, there was no question that Jesus was the long awaited gift of God. They had seen the power of faith, in Jew and Gentile alike, that brought about many miraculous healings.
And now, a young boy had a demon that robbed him of his ability to speak, and caused him great physical suffering. Word that the power of Jesus could bring about all sorts of healing had spread far and wide, and people were coming to the Lord all the time. The boy’s father brought him to be touched in this power. But in this particular instance, Jesus and the three disciples were on the Mount of Transfiguration and weren’t available to help. Upon their arrival at the base of the mountain, they discover that the other disciples were engaged in a rousing discussion with, among others, the Pharisees. We don’t know what it was about, but we soon understand that a healing had not been able to occur, and they were almost assuredly being attacked as being powerless.
But why wasn’t the boy healed? Was it because they didn’t have the power to accomplish this? Was the power that was in Jesus yet to come to them? Why was the boy still suffering?

Remember Jesus’ experience in his hometown? Even he was limited to a few minor miracles. It certainly wasn’t because Jesus didn’t have the power or the Godly authority! It was all because the faith of the people was insufficient. (Luke 4:16-30)
How could human faith, or lack thereof, possibly have such a devastating effect on God’s abilities? It would almost imply that our faith can control God! The truth is, though, that while faith doesn’t control God, it does enable God.

God is self limiting in many ways.
First, he allows us to exercise free will. We choose to believe in Christ. We choose to accept God’s saving grace. We choose to live a life of Christian service. It is God’s desire for us, but it is our choice to accept it or not.
Second, Jesus limited himself by taking on, not only the form of a human being, but also the characteristics of humanity. We always talk about the divine nature of Christ, but how often do we consider the human side of Christ? We claim that Jesus was “fully God and fully Man”, but do we realize what that would have meant for him? I believe that the “full humanness” of the Lord meant that while he was truly and “fully God”, he could never be “completely” God – at least not while he was also human. He experienced emotions, including joy, sorrow, struggle, loneliness, and many others. He cried, he bled, and he died. These aren’t Godly characteristics by any measure – they are solely human, and they are limiting.
And third, Jesus never forced himself on anyone. He offered convincing arguments and authoritative teaching. He offered prophecy regarding his mission. He held the highest ground whenever he was attacked by the Pharisees or Sadducees. But when it came to performing miracles, the faith of those around him came into play. God was no longer the only influence.
Could God take absolute control? He certainly could, but as the perfect God, he wants us to be an important part of his presence and purpose on earth. And because of that, the boy’s healing was not yet to be.

Read Mark 9:19-23

And even Jesus doesn’t heal the boy immediately. First, there is one more demonstration of the demon’s tenacity. The evil spirit sees and recognizes Jesus and in response, throws the boy into a terrible convulsive fit. Weak faith has no part in limiting the power of Satan, though, and the evil works its desired effect. Jesus engages in a conversation with the father, which leads to a faith-limited statement by the father. He tells Jesus “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” IF! IF? And Jesus tells him that he can do everything, but that faith must also take a part in the power.

How often have you heard people say “I prayed to God for help, but nothing happened, so I guess God wasn’t listening to me.” or “doesn’t care about me.” or “doesn’t really exist.” They may have faith, but what they truly need is a deep and trusting faith? Are they willing to give their situation completely over to the Lord, or do they try to retain some measure of control over how God is supposed to work in this situation?

“Everything is possible for him who believes.” Remember that “free will” thing? We get to choose just how much we are going to believe and trust! In our Wednesday evening Bible Study, we were talking about the part that our will plays in the receiving of God’s blessings. The statement was made that “we’ve been given the free will to give our will to God”. In other words, even our desires and hopes and plans have to be given over to the Lord!
That is what faith is about.

Read Mark 9:24-29

And the first healing is about to occur – the father exclaims “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He doesn’t ask Jesus to forgive his lack of faith – in faith, he asks that his unbelief might be overturned, that it might be taken away! And the absolute and divine power of God is unleashed! Faith was revealed; faith was restored; faith was enabled; faith was healed! And healing would be complete in both the father and his son.
But we still have to ask about the disciples? Why weren’t they able to bring about this healing? They had been able to do it about before (Mark 6:7-13), but this time they couldn’t. When they inquire as to why, Jesus tells them that sometimes prayer is the only way. Why prayer? Why now?

There may be two explanations.
First, even though we don’t actually see Jesus praying in this situation, it may be the boy’s father who prays with the words “help me overcome my unbelief”. And through the power of his prayer, his faith is strengthened and Jesus’ power is allowed to work.
The other possibility is stated back in chapter 6 when Jesus sent the disciples out to teach and heal. They could and did, but now, we see no word from the Lord that they should be about this particular work. Remember that Jesus, Peter, James and John had been up on the mountain, and the others had been left behind in the valley, and it was the crowd that approached them. There was no command from Jesus to do this work, and when we strike out on our own, without the sending and enjoining of the Spirit, we have no authority. Prayer is the only way that we can know God’s will for our lives.

Prayer, in faith, before all things - prayer before mission; prayer before ministry; prayer before study; prayer before counseling; prayer before worship - Prayer before everything! Why? Because prayer is our only basis for knowing and surrendering to God’s will, and in faith, we are able to live and keep God’s will. And when the door to serving and healing and teaching seems to be shut tight, then pray again and find out why.
Faith is trusting God to the degree that we know for certain that Jesus’ words are trustworthy and true – “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Faith in Christ. Faith in the Father. Faith in the Holy Spirit. And the rock solid belief that whatever is asked in Jesus’ Name, which means to have faith in his name, will be granted.

The absolute necessity of faith – one more lesson that Jesus teaches us on his journey to Jerusalem. Have we grasped it yet? Have we claimed it yet? Are we headed in the same direction that Jesus is?