Mark 9:23 “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Jesus and three of his disciples, Peter, James and John had come down from the mount of transfiguration to find quite a commotion involving his other disciples, teachers of the law and a curious crowd. When Jesus enquired what the argument was about, a man in the crowd explained that he had brought his son who had been tormented for many years by a spirit which had threatened his life repeatedly. The man was distraught because the disciples had been unable to cure the boy.

Jesus seemed exasperated with his disciples as he said: “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” (Mark 9: 19). Immediately the spirit in the boy recognized Jesus and threw him into a convulsion. That is so like the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy! Now face to face with the Son of God who has come that we may have life and have it to the full. (See John 10:10).

Jesus asked the boy’s father how long he had been in that condition. The father explained that he had been that way from childhood and then added: “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus’ response was immediate. “If you can?” “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Here is our challenge – can we believe in God enough to exercise power over the seemingly impossible situations in our lives? Notice that not only did Jesus put responsibility on the man to believe but he also asked him how long the situation existed. I believe it is not that Jesus did not know, but that he wanted the man to recognize how long it had taken him to find enough faith to come looking for help from God. Don’t accept seemingly entrenched negative situations in your life. As a believer, the Spirit of God dwells within you, that is the source of overcoming power. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11).