11th September 2024
The power of honesty
With tears flowing, the child’s father at once cried out, “I do believe! Help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 (ISV)
The disciples have been unable to cast out an evil spirit from a man’s son that has kept him unable to speak and subject to violent convulsions all his life.
Jesus is grieved by the lack of faith he sees. He asks the father about his son and the man explains the situation, and then puts his request to Jesus: “…But if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us!” “ ‘If you are able?’ ” responds Jesus, “Everything is possible for the person who believes!” (Mark 9:22-23). Jesus brings the man up short and that propels him into an honest confession, and immediately the man blurts out: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (v.24 NIV). Jesus responds at once, casts out the demon and gives his child life and freedom.
Later in private the disciples ask Jesus why they failed to cast out the demon. Jesus explains the need for prayer. I think we can include the prayer of the father in his reply.
This man and his wife would have had to be on the alert constantly for their son, as he was seized with convulsions and sometimes thrown into a fire or was in danger of drowning. Then the disciples turn out to be unable to help. This man’s faith and confidence in obtaining relief for his son have evaporated under the heat of his desperate experience.
But he turns to Jesus in honesty, confessing the inadequacy of his belief. What a risk he took in admitting that he lacked faith, to Jesus, who had just expressed some frustration at the lack of belief that he has seen around. But he does know that Jesus is the only hope.
He has been given the blessing of seeing himself for who he is. It’s a truly powerful blessing. Honesty about ourselves gives us the power to go to the true source of power. There’s nothing like a bit of honest truthfulness to open the way before the Throne of Grace.
Prayer
Our Father, our thanks fly up to you for the gift of seeing ourselves, for seeing our inadequacies, and the gift of being able to confidently admit them to you. Amen.
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Study by: Hilary Buck About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS
Meeting time: Sunday 11:00 am
Local congregational contact: Hilary Buck
Email: lewes@gracecom.church
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Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church