HEAL – God’s Heart for Healing in MarkSample

If You Can

Put yourself in the shoes of the father in this story. For years, he saw his son tormented by an evil spirit that caused the boy to have convulsions, experience suicidal tendencies and be mute. The boy could not even verbalize the agony he was going through. This desperate father sought the help of the disciples to rid his son of this demon, yet the disciples could not drive out the spirit. Then, Jesus came on the scene.

The man explained his son’s dire situation and how he had already reached out to the disciples for help, but to no avail. Then he said something many of us have found ourselves saying, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Look at Jesus’ response, “If you can?” Wow! Can you imagine Jesus saying that to you?  Jesus followed up that question by saying, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Everything. Belief is key to the possible.  

The man was honest with Jesus and said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Do you find yourself in his shoes? Jesus, if you can heal my cancer...Jesus if you can heal my son…Jesus, if you can heal my marriage. If you can…fill in the blank.

Jesus commanded the spirit to come out of the man’s son. Do you think the man’s prayer asking for help with his unbelief was answered? We can all learn from the compassion of Jesus to work with us and heal us despite our own unbelief.

Questions:

1. Do you identify with the father of this story? In what ways?
2. Have you ever prayed “if You can” prayers to Jesus? What was the result?
3. Do you believe everything is possible if you believe? How does this man’s added prayer to his exclamation that he believes (help me overcome my unbelief) speak to you today?