Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23
Jesus spoke to the father of the child who brought his son to be
delivered of demon possession that if he could believe, all things would
be possible to him. It is interesting that Jesus said "if you can
believe." Why if you can believe? First, it seems that Jesus was here
implying that believing is our responsibility. In response to Jesus, the
man said, "Lord I believe; help my unbelief." But how could he believe
and still asked the Lord to help his unbelief? I think it was a smart
thing to do. "Ok Lord, I believe, but if my believing is not enough,
help my unbelief."
I think that many of us are in the same place as this man, having no
option but to believe, yet not sure if the much faith that we have will
pull us through the present challenge. So how can we be sure that we are
believing adequately? I find Hebrews 12:2 very helpful. "Looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God."
When we look at the word, we will see Jesus on the cross, where He
made the impossible possible. Because I see Jesus, I can believe.
Outside the cross, the only thing to believe is what is in the natural
realm, where impossibility rules. It is only as we look to the cross
that we can truly believe. So how can we believe? Look to the cross. It
is impossible for unbelief to thrive when we are beholding Jesus on the
cross. Those who focus on the enormity of what they see in the physical
realm cannot but walk in the flesh and doubt, just as those who focus on
what they see in Christ cannot but walk in faith. Hence we walk by
faith and not by sight.
Toni
