“Jesus said to him, “Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Then the boy’s father cried out,
“I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24 (NAB)
Faith is knowing that everything is in God’s hands, even when things seem to be getting worse. As our faith weakens, it’s okay to come honestly to Jesus and say,
“Lord, help me in my unbelief.”
Those were the words of the father of a demon possessed boy. He barely had faith to believe that his son could be delivered, but He came to the right person. Every miracle begins by coming to the right person, who is Jesus.
When the father of that boy heard Jesus say, “anything is possible to the one who believes”, he figured that excluded him. He had very little hope, but a lot of honesty, when he said to Jesus, “Help me in my unbelief.”
It’s easy to get the impression that Jesus only responds to people of great faith. He praised the Centurion who said “Only say the word, Lord.” He was impressed by the woman who said “If I can just touch the fringe of His garment.”
He highlighted the example of the gentile woman who humbly persisted in faith, saying, “Even a dog can receive the crumbs that fall from the table”.
There’s no doubt that the Lord responds to great faith, but He also responds to great honesty. Jesus was touched by that desperate father’s honest plea, “Help me in my unbelief, Lord.” Jesus is looking for an intimate relationship with us, and intimacy requires honesty. Scripture shows us that God loves a heart open to Him in truthfulness.
Jesus wanted to help those who were struggling to believe that He had truly risen on that third day. He made an effort to convince His disciples that His body was risen, and He wasn’t merely a ghost or a spirit. He asked for something to eat and ate food in front of them. He showed them His scars and His wounded side.
He went as far as to offer all of the disciples, not just Thomas, to touch Him and feel His scars, saying,
“It is I, myself. Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
(Luke 24:39)
God is patient with everyone who is struggling to believe for something. He was patient with the father in this story, He was patient with His disciples, and He is equally patient with us today. He doesn’t expect us to fake it and pretend we believe, or to walk away in unbelief. We learn from the father in this story that there is a third option, to ask Jesus to help us in our unbelief.
I don’t always have confident faith and assurance when I pray for my son, Jon. I frequently need to ask for help in my own unbelief. Then I try to visualize Jesus’ nail scarred hands extended towards me, telling me to touch Him and see. He never scoffs at us in our doubts. What a comfort it is to have a Savior, who accepts and loves us as we are.
As we recall God’s unconditional, relentless love for humanity, and all the various levels of faith among His believers, we can almost hear Him saying to us today,
“Touch Me and see how much I love you.”
Lord, whatever level our faith is at, help us to remain intimate and honest with you, as you help us in times of unbelief. As we touch you by faith, draw us closer and deeper in devotion to you. Amen
