The Miracle Before The Miracle

TODAY’S READING:  Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10

SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:20-25

“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.

Jesus asked the boy's father, ‘How long has he been like this?’

‘From childhood,’ he answered.  ‘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.’

'If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’

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.’”

OBSERVATION:

The entire reason for this man coming to Jesus was a hope that his son would be healed.  Not a complete trust but a hope.  A hope with some history behind it.  Stories of Jesus healing people and performing other miraculous wonders had spread like wild fire throughout the region.  So though this man’s hope wasn’t completely trusting it was not completely faithless.  It was an unsure hope - an expectation, but maybe not.  It was an “If what hear is true I’m sure he can.  However, what if he won’t or what if it’s not true?”

We’ve all had feelings like that.  So Jesus confronted that issue of faith with “Listen pal!  Do you believe or not.”  In fact Jesus puts the boys future in the hands of his father’s faith.  The truth is that Jesus does not need our faith to do a miracle.  Our faith doesn’t encourage goodness in Jesus to win over his crankiness (how silly does that sound).  Jesus is able and Jesus is purely good.  However, in His goodness, He has allowed us to be a partnering agent in the miracle business thru our faith.  Through our bringing our needs to Him with the confidence that He can and will do something.

So the father says, “Yes, I believe - mostly , I think, but maybe not.  So please help my unbelief.”  He was essentially saying, “I believe enough to come to you in the first place, but there is doubt.  If you are truly God then you can even fix my unbelief.”  That’s the miracle before the miracle.

APPLICATION:

I want to believe more than I do.  I’ve been walking with Jesus for 18 years and still there are times when I find myself wondering if He will show up in time, or (being honest here) will he show up at all?  What is it with me that I can’t stay anchored in faith at times?  I want the faith to move mountains.  According to Jesus there’s not a major amount of faith required - faith the size of a mustard seed.  I need Jesus to give me the miracle before the miracle.

PRAYER:

Lord, Thank you for your goodness toward me.  Thank you that I know your goodness - I’ve witnessed you wonderful works in my life and others.  Yet there are times I doubt.  There are times that I worry.  Forgive me for the sin of unbelief.  In times of doubt, please give me the miracle before the miracle - help my unbelief.  Help me to stay anchored in the firm belief of who you are and what you are able to do.  In Jesus name - AMEN!