A Desperate Man

by Adam Litmer

His son’s life is on the line, and he’s desperate. He’s heard about a great healer named Jesus. Packing up his son, he rushes off to find this man. He will beg Jesus to heal his son as he has reportedly healed so many others.

When he arrives, he does not find Jesus, but Jesus’ disciples. That shouldn’t be a problem, though, for he has heard stories about these students of Jesus. It is said that they, too, can heal. He sets his son before them, explains the situation, and stands back to give them room to work. His son is about to be healed!

But the men fail. Then they fail again. Then they fail again. A crowd containing scribes, experts in Jewish law, begin to argue with Jesus’ students as their failures mount. What could this mean? Have the stories about these men been wrong? If so, is it possible that the things he has heard about Jesus are equally untrue? Is there no hope for his son? Despair begins to set in.

He hears many in the crowd begin to speak excitedly as they watch four men descend from a nearby mountain and begin making their way toward the crowd. One of the men is Jesus!

Jesus approaches the scribes and asks why they are arguing with his disciples. Unable to contain himself any longer, the desperate father steps forth and explains the situation. He braces himself against the look of frustrated disappointment as Jesus gazes upon everyone present, including his own students, and rebukes them all for being such a faithless generation.

Yet Jesus does not send them away. He turns to the father and tells him to bring him the boy. Hope surges. The spirit afflicting the boy seems greatly bothered by the presence of Jesus and immediately sends the boy into a fit. Jesus asks how long this has been happening to the boy, and the father tells him it has been since he was very small. He has to watch his son constantly as he falls into water and even fire. His hope begins to falter as he considers how long his boy has been afflicted and the failures of Jesus’ students. With a sigh, he pleads with Jesus to have compassion and do something to help them. Even as he speaks, his doubts wage war with his soul, prompting him to add “If you can” in requesting Jesus’ aid.

He is rooted to the ground when Jesus locks eyes with him and exclaims, “If you can?” Has he angered this man? Has he just ruined whatever chance his son had? But no, Jesus doesn’t seem angry; he seems intent. Holding the father’s gaze but speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear, Jesus says, “All things are possible for one who believes.”

The father clings to these words. He had enough faith to bring his son to Jesus. He knows, however, that his faith has taken a blow as he witnessed the continuing failures of Jesus’ disciples. With tears streaming down his face, he cannot help but cry out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” There is belief in his heart, but not as much as there once was. There is faith in his actions, but that faith is waning. All at once, he realizes that he needs Jesus’ help with far more than healing his son!

Jesus turns back to the afflicted boy. With absolute authority and power permeating every word, he commands the spirit to come out. The spirit seems compelled to obey, but it convulses his son terribly in the process. After a moment, he lies perfectly still. Some in the crowd exclaim that his boy has died! Yet Jesus' demeanor prevents him from panicking. Reaching out, Jesus lifts the boy to his feet. He is fine! Embracing his son, the father stares at Jesus with wonder and gratitude. He will never be the same again.

You can read all of this in Mark 9:14-27. It is such a powerful and emotional passage. I strive to put myself in the shoes of that father. His desperation and brutal honesty are so raw. I love that Jesus did not turn his back on this man when he confessed that his belief was waning. He begged Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief, which is exactly what Jesus did.

Where are you in this account? Are you the disciple trying, and failing, to accomplish the task before you? Are you the desperate father, wrestling with a belief battered, bruised, and waning? Are you part of the crowd interested and astonished at Jesus but unwilling to commit to him? Remember, it’s all about faith as far as Jesus is concerned. (Mark 9:19) Do you need more of it? Who among us doesn’t from time to time? Then make that desperate cry, “I believe; help my unbelief!” If you really mean it and want it, Jesus will help you find it.