Today’s Reading: Matthew 17:14-27; Isaiah 43

The disciples were not the only people paying attention, anticipating what Jesus might do next. Word was spreading about the miracles Jesus was performing. People were gathering to get a glimpse of Jesus or to hear his teaching. Others were bringing their sick and crippled in hopes that Jesus would heal them.

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” – Matthew 17:14-16

Can you picture it? There’s a beautiful mountain and a crowd of people waiting in anticipation to hear from Jesus. A man approaches Jesus and falls to his knees, pleading for the life of his son. He has tried to receive help from Jesus’ followers but their lack of faith has left him disappointed, so here he is calling out to Jesus for help.

THIS FATHER BELIEVED IN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND SO HE CAME TO JESUS.

As a parent, it is painful to consider what this man must have been feeling. His son was very sick and there was nothing he could do to help him – nothing but fall on his knees before the one man whom he believed could free his son. He had done all he knew to do and he was in need of divine intervention.

At times, life’s circumstances feel a lot like “going through the fire”. Stress presses in on every side and makes it hard for us to breathe. Hear the desperation of a believer in Jesus crying out to be rescued; he’s crying out for healing, begging for escape. This daddy would do anything to see the one he loves so deeply healed of the seizures that would take over his body, so he pleaded for mercy for his son.

Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” – Matthew 17:17

Can you hear it? It’s the HOPE of a father as he runs to get his son. I imagine the words of Jesus were still ringing in his ears and bouncing around his heart as he returned to Jesus with his precious boy.

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:21-24

This father was presenting faith when he first approached Jesus. His initial question was whether or not Jesus was willing to heal the son the disciples were not able to heal. But there is a lack of faith evident in his response to Jesus, revealing that there was still some doubt. After all, if Jesus’ followers could heal some but were unable to heal all, perhaps Jesus was limited in what he could do for the boy.

Perhaps you can relate. The reality of your current situation is that you need to be healed or someone you love is in need of healing. But you have watched others in need of healing lose their battle to cancer; you have grieved the death of someone killed in a tragic accident. So you sit in this place of believing in a God who heals and protects while also being fully aware that not everyone receives the healing they pray for or the near-miss testimony. Doubt creeps in and you begin to wonder if you will get the miracle you are praying for. You believe Jesus COULD but you doubt if he WOULD.

Jesus took time to question the man’s “if” and to give the father the opportunity to choose between faith and doubt. Then the father made a comment we can all relate to, a comment revealing a heart that has faith in Jesus but struggles with doubt. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Jesus then rebuked the demon in the boy who was causing the seizures and it left him. When the disciples saw that the boy was well, they asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon.

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” – Matthew 17:20

THIS FATHER BELIEVED IN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND EXPERIENCED A MIRACLE.

Can you feel it? What kind of fire is life throwing you into? What situations or circumstances are you drowning in? In what way do you need the Lord to strengthen your faith so that you can believe that He is a God who is still actively involved in the lives of those who believe.

God, we ask that you strengthen our faith in you today. Strengthen the faith of your church and your followers. May we empty ourselves of any thoughts that we are capable of helping others without you. May we humbly fall on our knees before you, believing that nothing is impossible for you — that all things are possible with you! Lord, will you cast the enemy from our midst and free us from the evil that tries to control us — that throws us into the fire. Give us the kind of faith that moves mountains as we cry out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Amen.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:1b-3