Jesus and a Faithful/Faithless Father
The Story
On of my favorite scenes in the bible is that of the man who came to Jesus to heal his son. His son was possessed with a dangerous spirit from his childhood; that many times threw him into water or fire, etc. This father had gone to the disciples, and they were unable to heal his son, but he doesn’t give up. He goes to Jesus.
Jesus tells him something that many Christians since that time have quote through the centuries. I hear it quoted all the time, in situations where it’s meant to encourage, comfort, and instill confidence in God.
What I like so much about this story is the father of the child’s response. He initially responds the way many of us Christians are programmed to respond. He says, “Lord I believe.” Of course I believe. It’s flows off the tongue quite easily. What Christian… what Christ follower would say otherwise?
His Story is Our Story
But he doesn’t stop there. His earnestness is beautiful. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” How many times have we been in situations where we wanted to believe? After all, we know God can do anything. Yet, that doesn’t make the fear, worry, anxiety go away. Cognitively, we know we should believe. The bible is full of stories to substantiate the power of God and the fact that He can do all things. But the bible is also full of stories where God could have done it, but He chose not to. He’s not obligated to do anything on our behalf and what He does do is a gift.
What is equally beautiful, is the compassion that our Lord displays. He doesn’t rebuke the man. He heals his son. Is there a lesson in this for us?
I don’t think the lesson it’s okay to be a person of unbelief. Earlier in the same passage, Jesus rebukes the disciples who were not able to heal the child. He calls them faithless- and it’s not meant as a compliment. Perhaps it’s because the disciples of all people, should have possessed more faith.
But the reality is, we are who we are by the grace of God. There are times when we display much faith and other times, if we are honest, we ourselves cry out, Lord I believe (to a point), help my unbelief (because I’m scared you may not do what I feel like I need you to do.)
So, we pray, make me trust you Lord. Don’t let me walk by sight. Your will be done and give me the strength to accept it. Someone once said that wasn’t praying in faith. I can’t remember the words they used, but I remember how blasphemous it felt hearing them. It was like God was waiting for us to tell Him what to do and we were not exercising the authority given us by His Spirit. But we know there is only One who possesses all authority. He can do what He wants, how he wants, to whom He wants, when He wants, and however many times He wants. Whether he choses to heal our sick loved one or not, is not an indication of His love for us or favor for us. It’s simply a gift or grace if He does.
Conclusion
There is no reason to hide where you are in your faith- overall or in any given moment in time. Jesus already knows. Just acknowledge Him in all your ways and be content whether He responds yes, no, or not right now. Trust Him even if He responds as He did to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Sometimes we want to know too much. But then what need would there be for faith. Make us trust You, Lord, no matter the situation.
