A story to show why it’s OK if unbelief accompanies our faith
By Dean Collins
“I’m taking this all the way to the top!”
I’ve heard that line a few times as the president of Point University. Anyone responsible for a whole enterprise—the president, CEO, medical director, senior pastor—has heard it.
I get it. If we can gain the leader’s attention, then maybe we can get our problem solved. But I’ve also noticed that often it’s about more than that. The complainer doesn’t want just any solution. No, they want it solved to their liking. And sometimes they want me to hold someone accountable for making the mistake in the first place.
Yes, I know the mantra that retailers in the early 1900s pioneered: “The customer is always right.” And since then there has been a focus on understanding the power of the customer in any transaction. Happy and satisfied customers return, and angry or disappointed ones probably won’t. Learning to listen to the customer, understand their needs, correct mistakes, and thank them are all a part of valuing the customer.
Sometimes the customer’s preferred solution isn’t actually possible. There may be federal guidelines, for instance, that regulate how certain things are handled at a bank, in a plane, at a hospital, or with a student’s financial aid. But we can listen. We can explain, and we can move toward a resolution.
Seeking a solution
In Mark 9, Jesus found his disciples arguing with scribes in a crowd. When some in the crowd spotted Jesus, they ran up to him, and he asked them what the fuss was all about. One guy spoke up and said, “I brought my son to you because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. When it seizes him it throws him down, and it’s really a hard and ugly experience for him and everyone else. So I asked your disciples to cast out the spirit, and they were not able.”
Jesus spoke a rebuke that tied the Jewish crowd to all the generations before who were focused more on the law than faith in the power of God. Many scholars aren’t sure if Jesus included his disciples in his response or not. But if there is a rebuke from Jesus we should all pay attention, because we’re probably not much different than the people we read about in Scripture. We have the same sin problem, and this story challenges us to consider if we have a similar lack of faith in the power of God.
Jesus had the man bring the boy to him, and before anything else he asked the father some questions. The questions seem unnecessary. Jesus could assess and diagnose without answers from this man. But the dialogue in and of itself showed compassion for the father who had grieved for many years and must have tried to find help time and time again. The man responded to Jesus, “If you can do anything have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus responded, “All things are possible for one who believes.” The man, desperate for help, cried out, “ I believe; help my unbelief!”
The tension of faith
In many ways Psalm 10, like many psalms, reflects this same tension of faith. The psalmist knows, as we do, that God is capable, but he doesn’t understand why God seems far off in times of great need. Like the psalmist, we want God to make all things right and do this now. We know he is loving. We know he is powerful. We know he is for the afflicted. We know he despises evil and sickness. And yet he sometimes doesn’t act according to our preferences.
Jesus certainly wasn’t giving a customer service lesson to the disciples, but it is worth noting that he listened, he showed compassion, and he helped even as the father seemed to doubt whether he actually could help. And in the process he showed everyone their inadequate reliance on law and rules and their inability or unwillingness to express faith in the Almighty.
Jesus proceeded to cast the spirit out and restore the son’s health. In the stillness after the boy’s collapse on the ground, some thought he had died. But Jesus simply reached out his hand and lifted the boy up.
The disciples asked Jesus about this. Why was he able to cast out the spirit when their attempts failed? Jesus said this type of demon responds only to prayer. In other words, just trying to imitate me won’t work. You have to engage God. He is the only one capable.
The purpose of God
This was the beginning of the story. Everyone involved didn’t have faith in God. The disciples were not wrong to try and help the father and the son. But they likely got caught up in technique and failed to seek God as the one who could help.
I can’t explain why sometimes people don’t get better when we pray that God will heal them. Sometimes, in fact, they die. But our faith must be big enough and strong enough not only to trust the power of God, but also to have faith in his wisdom and his purposes. God doesn’t always choose to resolve our situation with our preferred outcome. But he is always working for our good, weaving a divine purpose, and whatever he does will bring glory to God.
Some parts of following Jesus are hard to accept and understand. And our response to these tough moments might be best said with the words we find from the father in this story: “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Your time with God’s Word
Mark 9:14-29; Psalm 10:1-18 ESV
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.
