So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed, and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11: 22-24, NKJV
Gracious Lord, Your Word is just so wonderfully rich, and powerful! Please enable us to live according to its precepts, for Christ’s sake; Amen
We have come to the last part of our promise; but rest assured that we have not seen all there is to see in this gem. Perhaps on another occasion we will return to it for added blessings. Now, let us go back to Mark, chapter 9, to pick up where we left off in our last meditation. Jesus has just convinced the father of this sick boy, that the possibility of his son’s healing depends largely on him. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (21). Now let us see what effect these words will have on the father.
Verse 24. “Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ ” Jesus’ words have connected with something deep inside of this father – his faith that has been buried beneath the pain of the day to day suffering of his son, is coming back to the surface! Can anybody identify with this man? Was there a time in your life when you found it easier to believe? Do you find that it is not quite that easy now, because you have had so many disappointments, you don’t even dare to hope? Well, if you have been there, or close by, you might be able to feel this father’s tears, and hear his cry, and understand his need, to have his faith system boosted, rehabilitated, and revitalized, to enable him to believe again! Jesus heard his cry, and at that moment, He received the strength he needed, and his son was healed! Jesus had helped his unbelief, by restoring his ability to believe!
Let us look briefly at the second proposition: “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (29). You may ask but what does this statement have to do with the faith that moves mountains? I submit two thoughts for consideration: faith is a spiritual virtue; it is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Prayer, combined with fasting, is a spiritual exercise, so there is an affinity the one with the other, between spiritual virtue, and the spiritual excercise; and therefore, one activity can strengthen the other.
The other thought is based on the parable of the sower. Some seeds fall “on the path.” These represent those persons who hear the word and do not understand it. The “evil one comes and snatches what was sown in the heart” (Matthew 13: 19, NRSV). So, if the Word has been taken from the heart, where will the life derive its strength to fight the fight of faith? Prayer and fasting allows for time alone with God, where we receive strength, and wisdom, so that in the hour of temptation, our faith does not fail us.
Whatever the reason for Jesus’ Words, the results speak for themselves. Jesus, who spent time alone in prayer with his Father (Luke 6: 12) was always prepared for spiritual battle, and this time was no exception. He spoke the Word, and the lad was set free (Mark 9: 25-27). Jesus is always there when we need Him; and He is more willing to bless us, than we are to be blessed. His advise to us is to, “have faith in God,” and believe that what we are requesting will be granted. We can take Him at His Word.