Nothing Impossible
by Clifton Angel
Jesus comes down from Mount Hermon (see Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42). Peter, James, and John are with him. They witnessed the transfigured Christ talking with Moses and Elijah about his coming death (Matthew 17:1-13). It was so magnificent that Peter wanted to worship all three of them, but God the Father quickly corrected him. Jesus charged them to tell no man of the occasion until after his resurrection.
At the base of the mountain, the other nine apostles were surrounded by a multitude and were being questioned by scribes. Mark says, “straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him” (Mark 9:15). Imagine school children on a playground. One large group is surrounding and bullying a smaller group. When the teacher arrives, the bullies immediately turn to the teacher, surprised, and act as if they are in her good graces. Jesus asked the scribes, “About what are you questioning my disciples?” (Mark 9:16). The scribes remained silent. “There came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water” (Matthew 17:15). Mark tells us the man’s son is possessed by a demon that has caused him to have fits like epileptic seizures, to be convulsed, foam at the mouth, to grind his teeth, and wither all of his energy. “And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him” (Matthew 17:16).
Jesus’ twelve apostles went to the lost of Israel: “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils” (Matthew 10:7-8). Their miracles confirmed that their message was from God. On this occasion, they failed; they were not able to cast out the demon.
Further investigation revealed a malignancy. The cancer, or malignancy, of the scribes, the multitude, the man, and the disciples was: lack of faith. The scribes’ lack of faith is evident in their “questioning” or “arguing” with the disciples. The multitude’s lack of faith is seen in the exclamation of Jesus: “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?” (Matthew 17:17). The disciples’ lack of faith is bluntly revealed by Jesus when after all was over they privately asked him, “Why could we not cast out this demon?” Jesus responded, “Because of your unbelief” (Matthew 17:20). The epileptic boy’s father’s lack of faith is evident in his words to Jesus: “If you can.” Jesus’ response was, “If you can.” There should be no question about Jesus’ ability; instead, the burden was turned on the father’s ability to believe. This man’s reaction is the most honorable because he recognized his unbelief. “Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Have we examined our own faith deficiencies and turned to Jesus for help?
The father recognized his unbelief and desired to grow in faith. Jesus’ disciples had to be told why they could not cast out the demon possessing this man’s son. Jesus said, “Because of your unbelief” (Matthew 17:20). But that was not all that Jesus instructed his disciples on this occasion. He continued, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). Therefore, there is “nothing impossible” for the faithful follower of Jesus.
Why “faith as a grain of mustard seed?” The mustard seed is used proverbially as the smallest seed that grows into a tree. First, Jesus was rebuking their lack of faith. By saying they need to have “faith as a grain of mustard seed,” Jesus was implying that their faith was even smaller than the mustard seed. Second, Jesus was encouraging a faith that is alive and growing. The mustard seed begins small, but it grows into a large, beautiful, and flourishing tree. For this reason, Jesus used the mustard seed in a parable about the church (Matthew 13:31–32). How is our faith? Is it even as large as a mustard seed? Is it alive and growing? Jesus said, there is “nothing impossible” for His faithful followers.
Next, did the disciples move mountains? There is no New Testament record of Jesus and His disciples ever moving a literal mountain. This was also a proverbial phrase used to illustrate the significant tasks accomplishable by a living and growing faith. Paul used it in discussing godly love (I Corinthians 13:2). If needed in confirming God’s revelation, Jesus and His apostles certainly could have miraculously moved an actual mountain. However, the phrase was used figuratively, and its principle holds even today, when men are not given miraculous capabilities. The principle is this: With a living, growing faith, Christians can accomplish even the largest spiritual responsibilities and tasks. There is “nothing impossible” for the faithful followers of Jesus.
Jesus constantly pointed his followers to spiritual things rather than physical ones. Many may be tempted to think that there is nothing physically impossible for followers of Jesus. This simply is not true. Even if I have a living and growing faith, it does not mean I will always have physical health, wealth, and well-being. However, I can have spiritual health, wealth, and well-being. Drug addicts can become clean. Murderers can find life. The sexually immoral can repent and refrain. Liars can learn the truth. In the church, the fatherless can have a spiritual family, the homeless can have a spiritual home, and the diseased can be made well, spiritually. There is nothing spiritually impossible for what God has called upon Christians to do.
