Apicontent

“But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been raised! He is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples, even Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” Then they went out and ran from the tomb, for terror and bewilderment had seized them. And they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” —Mark 16:6-8

When pain and heartache come, it’s easy to forget what we know to be true. The angel had come and rolled away the stone to show that Jesus had indeed risen! Fresh air and the morning light filled the tomb where He had been laid. Death had been conquered! A stone could not hold Him. Death could not hold Him. Overwhelmed with wonder, the women were told by the angel that Jesus was not there. He had risen! They were to go and tell the disciples and Peter! How precious of Jesus to single out His friend, Peter. Peter, the one who had betrayed Him. Peter, the one who had vowed to go to the death with his Lord and then turned and disowned Him three times. I can so feel his pain! How many times I have let the Lord down through my actions, or lack of them; or through my words, or lack of them! Yet Jesus remains faithful. Tell Beth!

Jesus is not surprised by our frailties and shortcomings–He expects it from flawed human flesh! Remember what Isaiah tells us:

“ A voice says, “Cry out!” Another asks, “What should I cry out?” The first voice responds: “All people are like grass, and all their promises are like the flowers in the field. The grass dries up, the flowers wither, when the wind sent by the LORD blows on them. Surely humanity is like grass.
The grass dries up, the flowers wither, but the decree of our God is forever reliable.” —Isaiah 40:6-8

“All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the LORD caused the sin of all of us to attack him.” —Isaiah 53:6

Paul tells us in Romans:

… “There is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not even one.” —Romans 3:10-12

What God desires from us is to keep our accounts short. We must repent and turn back to Him when we fall. We must go back to the cross and to its power! Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless.”
“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” —1 Corinthians 1:17-18

In the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible the word translated “repent” is the Greek word Metanoeo meaning “to undergo a moral reorientation of the soul in which one acknowledges the error of his ways and turns toward the divinely prescribed way of truth and righteousness”. It is a turning from unbelief to a “reliance upon His forgiveness and favor.” We can never sin beyond God’s grace and mercy–we need only to go back to the cross. Jesus’ blood shed for us covers all sin–past, present and future! That is good news indeed!

I love the angel’s last line: “There you will see him, just as he told you.” God never changes. If He said it, He meant it!

Take It to Heart

We can stand on the promises of God–He will never let us down!

“Since, I, the LORD, do not go back on my promises.” —Malachi 3:6

“The Preeminent One of Israel does not go back on his word or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind.” —1 Samuel 15:29

“The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” —Psalm 51:17

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!” —Hebrews 13:8

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought aromatic spices so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. They had been asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” —Mark 16:1-3

I love these women! Let me give you a little glimpse of what they had experienced just prior to this verse. They had followed Jesus and cared for His needs (Mark 15:41); they were eye witnesses to His crucifixion (Mark 15:40); they had experienced the three hours of darkness over the whole land (Mark 15:33); they had seen the curtain of the temple torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38); they had heard the centurion’s confession that “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39); they had felt the earth shake and had seen the rocks split (Matthew 27:51); they were at the foot of the cross and were eyewitnesses to His death (John 19:25) … and now they were confused!

Have you ever opened a 1,000 piece puzzle box and not known where to begin? I suppose these women felt much the same way! They had watched as Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ precious body down from the cross and wrapped it in linen and laid it in the tomb. They had observed the stone being placed against the entrance. Wanting to add their touch to their Lord’s burial, they put their own spices, salves, scented oils, and perfumes together to anoint His body. They had walked with Him and saw to His needs on earth, and they were going to ceremoniously see to it that He was embalmed correctly in death. They did the very thing they knew to do.

We can learn an enormous lesson from this. Have you ever been confused and not known the “next step”? I have. A distressing phone call, a hurtful exchange with a friend, a lost job, a death, an unfaithful spouse, a rebellious child, illness–you name it, the list of struggles is endless. When we are standing at a cross-road, we learn from Scripture that is important to simply do the next thing. Abraham went out to cut wood when he was told to sacrifice his son (Genesis 22:1-3); Joseph made up his mind to make the most of his situation when he was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 39:1-6); Peter went back to fishing when his Lord was crucified (John 21:3). And these women went to anoint their Lord. We do the next thing … and Jesus meets us there.

Be assured, if you are seeking to do His will, He will not let you miss it. Sometimes we just have to do the next thing. This is not always easy! It was not easy for the disciples either. Their pain and confusion was just as real as ours. Take heart, believer! Just do the next thing and Jesus will meet you there!

Take It to Heart

“I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen a godly man abandoned, or his children forced to search for food.” —Psalm 37:25

“For the LORD promotes justice, and never abandons his faithful followers.” —Psalm 37:28

“Rely on the LORD! Obey his commands! Then he will permit you to possess the land; you will see the demise of evil men.” —Psalm 37:34

“But the LORD delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them;he rescues them from evil men and delivers them, for they seek his protection.” —Psalm 37:39-40

“Then he came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Mark 14:37-38

This particular event takes place in Gethsemane the night before Jesus was to be crucified. Jesus had taken three of His disciples–Peter, James, and John–with Him to pray. Knowing what they would be faced with the following day, Jesus exhorts them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation. He understands them totally. He knows that their hearts are in the right place, but that their resolve may not see them through difficulty.

Jesus knows that our flesh is as frail as the summer flowers. Flesh has not changed in all of time. It is as frail today as it was in the disciples’ day. Therefore, as disciples of Christ today, He delivers to us this same message–watch and pray! When it comes to temptation, Peter tells us:

“Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.” —1 Peter 5:8-9

Paul adds:

“Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:10-13

How can we apply this to our own lives? How do we go about thwarting temptation with the realization of our weak flesh? How do we watch and be on guard awaiting His return? Scripture tells us:

“Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.” —Proverbs 25:28

In the time of Jesus, a city was only as powerful as its walls. When a breach in the wall occurred, the city was vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. In much the same way, we need a wall around us, and that wall is self-control. When there is a weakness in our wall, you can be assured that is where the attack from Satan will come. It is our responsibility to constantly evaluate where our weaknesses lie and strengthen those breaches. How? There are many ways. Here are some I have found helpful in my own life:

• Prayer–Asking God for strength.
• Resolve–Setting my mind on the things of God.
• Hiding God’s Word in my heart.
• Making my thoughts obedient to Christ.
• Keeping short accounts–with God and with others.
• Honestly evaluating my life–asking Jesus to search my heart for things that are not of Him.
• Remembering my flesh is weak, but His Spirit is powerful–I only need to rely on Him!
• Avoiding places, people, or things that can cause me to stumble or fall.

I love the following verses from Hebrews regarding Jesus’ help for us:

“For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” —Hebrews 4:15-16

Take It to Heart

Jesus exhorts us to be on guard for our own good. He told Peter, James, and John: “Watch and pray.” Perhaps they would not have fled had they been obedient to this command. Perhaps Peter would not have disowned Jesus three times and caused himself so much grief if he had been obedient to this command. Perhaps I can avoid my own grief if I am obedient to this command!

“Watch and pray!”

“Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him. And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Then no one dared any longer to question him.” —Mark 12:28-34

Hearing the debate, and noticing Jesus giving a good answer, one of the teachers of the law–meaning a scribe or someone who was knowledgeable of the law–approached Jesus with this question: What is the most important commandment? And Jesus’ very simple answer? The Lord our God is one, we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And, He adds, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Nothing is greater. With this answer, Jesus referred to what the Jews consider to be one of the most important texts in the Old Testament–the Shema–found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Literally the Hebrew word Shema means to heed, listen, and obey. The passage is beautiful:

“Listen, Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You must love the LORD your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.”
These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.” —Deuteronomy 6:4-9

God understands we are but dust. Throughout His Word we are compared to sheep numerous times. Typically, sheep are thought to be dumb animals, possibly because they always follow each other around in the flock! God knows we need to be led¸ and we need to be reminded of certain truths lest we forget. This is for our good. He wants us to love Him and listen to Him, because He has the heart of a shepherd! God is asking for whole hearted love, which includes our desires, feelings, affections, passions, understanding, and intellectual capacity. God is not asking something of us that He has not already shown to us. He placed such a value on man–showed such love for him that though we deserved rejection, God, the Father sacrificed Jesus Christ, his only Son for our salvation. Paul tells us in Romans:

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:6-8

In addition to our love for God, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. The word neighbor literally means anyone within close proximity–the parable of the Good Samaritan is a perfect illustration of this (Luke 10:37). Loving a neighbor requires that we treating someone as we would want them to treat us–showing mercy and kindness and love even when it is undeserved. Again, this is how God treats us–with undeserved mercy and unmerited favor.

Take It to Heart

God desires our love … as expressed in our obedience to Him. Does your life reflect the love you have for God?

“Then Samuel said, “Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience?
Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and presumption is like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the LORD's orders, he has rejected you from being king.” —1 Samuel 15:22-23

“For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings.” —Hosea 6:6

“With what should I enter the LORD's presence? With what should I bow before the sovereign God? Should I enter his presence with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Will the LORD accept a thousand rams, or ten thousand streams of olive oil? Should I give him my firstborn child as payment for my rebellion, my offspring – my own flesh and blood – for my sin?
He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.” —Micah 6:6-8

“In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your sins.” —Mark 11:20-25

In these verses, we see Jesus giving His disciples a lesson on prayer. I don’t know about you, but for me, prayer is one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines–perhaps because Satan despises it so. You can be sure that anytime you desire to be in God’s Word or spend time with Him in prayer, Satan is going to be trying to distract you. His distractions, coupled with our own flawed self, call for a firm resolve to accomplish effectively this precious gift of prayer. Scripture tells us:

“The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.” —James 5:16

So what did Jesus teach His disciples about prayer? He begins by telling them to have faith in God. What does He mean by that? It boils down to an unwavering trust in God’s power and unfailing goodness. We can have faith in God because, quite simply, He is worthy of our faith. He can be trusted. Has He ever really let you down? Has He walked with you through every valley? Has He always been faithful in the past? Are not His mercies new every morning? Yes, He can be trusted! Our difficulties arise when we desire what is not His desire for us. James says it so succinctly:

“You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.” —James 4:2-3

God is not Santa Claus, the Good Fairy, or some other sort of magic genie that is sitting around waiting for us to express our wishes. Neither does He fulfill the Burger King slogan of “Have it your way.” He is far too loving for that. He who formed our inmost being, who knit us together in our mother’s womb, knows what is best for us. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. He enjoys bestowing bounty on His children. He loves to say “Yes” … but when the answer is “No” or “Wait” we can be sure a greater good is being accomplished in our lives. Remember, Jesus at one time received a “No” from His Father:

“Going a little farther, he threw himself to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour would pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” —Mark 14:35-36

In our verses for today then, what mountain is Jesus describing that we can be assured of moving if only we believe that we have received it? It begins by having an understanding of God’s heart which comes from knowing God’s Word. When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, He told them to pray:

“May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” —Matthew 6:10

God desires earth as it was before the Fall – the beauty (no death), the purity (no sin), the unstrained relationship with man (no selfish flesh) – heaven, so to speak, on earth. He desires for us to be conformed to the image of His Son – whatever it takes – so that we can point others to Him. God desires for none to perish, but for all to come to repentance. He does not delight in death, even of the wicked. I have found that by simply praying God’s Word back to Him, my desires come in line with His. You see, it is not about us, it is all about Him. God alone is to be glorified.

Take It to Heart

“Your kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD supports all who fall, and lifts up all who are bent over. Everything looks to you in anticipation, and you provide them with food on a regular basis. You open your hand, and fill every living thing with the food they desire. The LORD is just in all his actions, and exhibits love in all he does. The LORD is near all who cry out to him, all who cry out to him sincerely. He satisfies the desire of his loyal followers; he hears their cry for help and delivers them. The LORD protects all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.” —Psalm 145:13-20

“Acceptance of God’s will brings peace.” —Amy Carmichael

“They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.” —Mark 10:46-52

Living in darkness, Bartimaeus sits by the side of the road begging for someone to put anything in his cup. Suddenly, he hears the commotion of people heading his way. It’s Jesus of Nazareth! Word about Jesus had already met with Bartimaeus ears. He had heard of the healings. He desperately believed Jesus could bring him out of the darkness into the wonderful light. He began calling out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowds rebuked him:“Pipe down old man!” “Stop all that screaming!” “Be quiet!” But Bartimaeus shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He had lived in darkness far too long and was desperate for the light.

Jesus stops and says, “Call him.” Jesus is always calling us. Since the fall when God called for Adam until now, God reaches down to man and calls him–what glorious condescension!

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the orchard at the breezy time of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the orchard. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” —Genesis 3:8-9

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28-30

The disciples approach Bartimaeus with very Good News! “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” What better news could there be? The God of all creation was calling him:

“Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.” —Revelation 3:20

Bartimaeus jumps to his feet and goes to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus. “I want to see,” he cries. He had been in the darkness too long. Nothing had truly been able to fill his cup. A coin here, a coin there, and yet his cup still had a jingle. There was always room for more. Jesus came to fill each one of our cups. “Your faith has healed you,” Jesus said and immediately his sight was restored and he began to follow Jesus.

This healing story is such a perfect example of salvation! We are in desperate need. We realize our need. We understand that we do not have the ability to do anything to rectify the situation. We are hopeless:

“That you were at that time without the Messiah, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” —Ephesians 2:12

We call out. Jesus comes. We throw off everything. We confess. Jesus heals us. We follow.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.” —Romans 11:33-36

Take It to Heart

Salvation, indeed, is very good news! Jesus came to set the captives free. He came to comfort all who mourn and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners. I must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and follow Him.

“Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

“Now as Jesus was starting out on his way, someone ran up to him, fell on his knees, and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
The man said to him, “Teacher, I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.”
As Jesus looked at him, he felt love for him and said, “You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.”
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” —Mark 10:17-23

This young man referred to Jesus as “Teacher.” He truly had good intentions. This young man considered Jesus to be a recognized authority. But I think, like many of us, he was looking for a formula to fill, or a task to be done, or a command to be followed! No more worries! We sealed the deal, so to speak. We can accomplish that one task or responsibility on our “list” and then proceed on with living our lives however we please.

Wanting to justify himself by his works this rich young man asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus understands what the man is truly seeking. He  first lists the commands He knew the young man was already following. And then Jesus, looking at this young man with much love, says, “One thing you lack.” It reminds me of the verse in Daniel 5:

“As for teqel – you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking.” —Daniel 5:27

The Old Testament tells us that all our righteous acts won’t help us:

“We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind.” —Isaiah 64:6

In the New Testament, Paul tells us:

“Just as it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.” —Romans 3:10

Take It to Heart

I believe Jesus wanted this young man to understand that faith is a heart issue and not a works issue. Our works simply evidence our faith. Christ is desirous of our relationship with Him, not what we do for Him. He tells us that apart from Him we can do nothing, meaning nothing eternal is accomplished apart from Christ. Jesus wants us to follow Him wholeheartedly and unreservedly. He wants to be Lord over our lives.

Then they came to Capernaum. After Jesus was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” —Mark 9:33-35

Can’t you just hear the disciples? “I’m the greatest” … “Oh no! You’re quite mistaken; I’m the greatest” … “You guys are both crazy! Didn’t you hear me say that He was the Christ? I’m confident I am the greatest!” … and on and on it went through the voices of twelve disciples who desired human recognition, elevation, and admiration. How very easy it is to fall into the trap of longing for praise from men rather than God! Pride is an insidious monster–it grabs us by the neck before we know it! Jesus tells us in John:

“How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?” —John 5:44

Don’t get me wrong, we all can use an “Atta boy” or an “Atta girl” from time to time to strengthen and encourage. That’s not the kind of praise Jesus is referring to here. It is the elevation of self for affirmation and recognition that is to be despised. Anytime we try to elevate ourselves overtly or covertly, God is displeased. It is not about us. It is all about Christ and His name being glorified and magnified above all. As John the Baptist said:

“He must become more important while I become less important.” —John 3:30

We are told by the prophet Micah:

“He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.” —Micah 6:8

Jesus turned the world upside down with His teaching. To be the greatest we must be the servant of all. Jesus said:

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:28

Take It to Heart

In God’s economy, down is up! To be great, one must serve. There is joy and contentment in service done willingly, without thought of receiving human credit. God sees everything we do and His recompense is great.

“A member of the crowd said to him, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that makes him mute. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they were not able to do so.”
He answered them, “You unbelieving generation! How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I endure you? Bring him to me.”
So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Then Jesus said to him, “‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”
Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Now when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” —Mark 9:17-25

This story takes place right after the transfiguration. Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain and His divine glory had been revealed to them. Jesus, Peter, James, and John were returning from that experience and came upon this crowd. The other disciples and the teachers of the law were arguing presumably over the disciples’ lack of ability to heal this demon possessed child. Jesus had already given the disciples authority to drive out demons. We are told earlier in Mark:

“Now Jesus went up the mountain and called for those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he named apostles), so that they would be with him and he could send them to preach and to have authority to cast out demons.” —Mark 3:13-15

With compassion, Jesus tells them to bring the boy to Him. He asks the father how long the child has been like this. The father responds since childhood. Can you imagine the desperation this father must have felt? He says to Jesus, “But if you can do anything …”

Jesus responds “If you can?” Jesus follows that up with “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Jesus has the power to deliver this child!

Contrast this scenario with the man with leprosy in Matthew who came to Jesus knowing He could heal him.

“After he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. And a leper approached and bowed low before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” —Matthew 8:1-3

The word “willing” stands out in the above passage. Sometimes God does not change the circumstance, heal the physical body, or provide a “yes” to our request. When this is the case, there is always a greater good to be accomplished through what He is allowing–both for us and for others. Two passages provide encouragement during those times when God does say “no.”

“Even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:7-10

“Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” —Matthew 26:39

Our loving and compassionate Father is a good and perfect giver and delights to bestow “good gifts” to His children. Always believe that even if the answer is “No,” there is so much more at stake that we do not see.

Take It to Heart

God is always faithful, loving, compassionate and kind to His children–even when we do not recognize it as such. His very heart is love. If the answer to changing my circumstance is “No,” there is a greater good that I cannot readily see both for me and for others.

“Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and because of the gospel will save it.’” —Mark 8:34-35

This teaching of Jesus comes on the heels of Peter’s rebuke to Him over Jesus’ prediction of His death and in turn, Jesus’ rebuke to Peter due to his thoughts and affections pointing toward that of man’s rather than God’s. How easy for us to think like Peter! But Jesus calls us into a different way of thinking. He begins here by sharing with the crowd and His disciples this very important truth: If you want to follow me, you must deny self. What? Deny myself? Surely I heard wrong! No, Jesus is clear, if I desire to be His follower along this road called life, I must deny myself. His will over mine. He is to be Master and Lord over my life. All are invited to come after Him and follow in His way, but the cost is self denial.

Jesus also calls us to bear a cross. What crosses has He allowed you to carry? One thing I am sure we can all agree on is that pain is everywhere. No one escapes its vast reach. But Jesus says to take it up. Why? There are many possible reasons for this command, but I believe one of the reasons is that He desires for us to go through these trials (crosses) with joy so that through His power we can be a witness to a hurting world. It is simply supernatural to embrace with joy what He allows, knowing it is for our good and His glory. There is a vast difference between suffering through a cross and enduring it with joy, confident of the outcome. It is said of Jesus in Hebrews 12:

“Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. ” —Hebrews 12:2-3

Jesus turned the world upside down with His teaching: “Turn the other cheek;” “Go the extra mile;” “Love your enemies;” “Pray for those who persecute you.” All these seem easy when compared with “If you want to save your life, you must lose it.” It sounds like a dreadful experience, but in reality it is the very essence of abundant life. You will never be able to out give God.

Take It to Heart

The call is for all who will follow. Jesus desires more than lip service, emotional fervor, or even our deeds–He wants us. He wants to empower us to embrace with joy what He allows–confident of His love for us and certain that He will work all things out for our good.

Further Reflections

“But as for you, son of man, your people (who are talking about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses) say to one another, ‘Come hear the word that comes from the LORD.’ They come to you in crowds, and they sit in front of you as my people. They hear your words, but do not obey them. For they talk lustfully, and their heart is set on their own advantage. Realize that to them you are like a sensual song, a beautiful voice and skilled musician. They hear your words, but they do not obey them.” —Ezekiel 33:30-32