“IF YOU CAN!”

 

Mark 9:14-29                 (ESV)

JESUS Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

“[14] And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and SCRIBES ARGUING WITH THEM. [15] And immediately all the crowd, when they saw HIM, were GREATLY AMAZED and ran up to HIM and greeted HIM. [16] And HE asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” [17] And someone from the crowd answered HIM, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has “a spirit” that makes him mute. [18] And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked YOUR disciples to cast it out, and THET WERE NOT ABLE.” [19] And HE answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to ME.” [20] And they brought the boy to HIM. And when the spirit saw HIM, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. [21] And JESUS asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. [22] And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, have compassion on us and help us.” [23] And JESUS said to him, “‘IF YOU CAN’!” All things are possible for one who believes.” [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” [25] And when JESUS saw that a crowd came running together, HE rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” [26] And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” [27] But JESUS took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. [28] And when HE had entered the house, HIS disciples asked HIM privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” [29] And HE said to them, “THIS KIND CANNOT BE DRIVEN OUT BY ANYTHING BUT PRAYER.””

JESUS not only HAD the POWER to speak EVERYTHING into existence, HE STILL HAS THE SAME POWER!!!  A GREAT CROWD was surrounding JESUS at this time, including the SCRIBES whose main objective was to discredit THE SON OF GOD before mankind.  

This example of JESUS being on display before  a GREAT CROWD, including the SCRIBES, wasn’t a “by chance” moment.  Had their EYES been OPENED to SEE that THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES was the ONE WHO they were observing, HIS impact might have been more significant???  But HIS identity WAS NOT recognized by any people, except the CHOSEN!  “This world” ultimately “killed” the SON OF GOD for the very people who crucified HIM!!!

The statement “‘IF YOU CAN’!” is remarkable for those who BELIEVE IN HIM!!!  JESUS CHRIST is GOD IN FLESH, and “this world” hasn’t changed ANY since this day.  The father of this boy KNEW very quickly that JESUS was WHO HE claimed to be!  

Even as a person who has experienced MIRACLES such as these, I STILL have to be reminded that the ONE WHO healed this boy IS GOD CLOTHED IN HUMANITY!!!  I long to be an EXAMPLE of “‘IF YOU CAN’!!!”