Can You?

Scripture: Mar 9:22-24 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Observation: In verse 22, we see the father of the demon possessed child ask Jesus if he "Can" do anything to help him. The Greek word for "Can" is a variation of the word "dunamai" of which we get our word dynamite. The term implies having power or authority to do something. "Can" is a good translation of this word, but the implications of what the father was asking are significant. If the father had known that Jesus was God, would he have really asked him if he had authority or power to do anything? We know that all authority and power was given to Jesus. This father evidently didn't know that. It was this unbelief that Jesus had to counter to help the man and his child. In verse 23 Jesus uses a play on words to show the father what he is missing. The father had asked Jesus if he "Can" and so Jesus tells the father that if HE "Can", then he "Can" believe then he "Can" do all things. The issue was not Jesus' power and authority, but rather the father's lack of belief was inhibiting the power and authority of Jesus being demonstrated in his life. The father saw his mistake, and his son was healed.

Application: We don't so much need to be concerned with God as we do with our lack of belief in God. If we "Can" trust in God fully, then we don't to worry about what God "Can" do in our lives. If we "Can" belief in him fully, then we "Can" do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. We have the authority as believers, in his name, to do all things. However, to the degree that we trust and believe in him, we will see those things come to pass.

Prayer: Lord, We believe in you, God help us with our lack of trust. Amen