EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE WHO BELIEVES
Mark 9:14-29
Key Verse: 23
“‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.'”
Today’s passage takes place immediately after Jesus’ transfiguration. On the mountain there was glory, but at the foot of the mountain there was confusion, suffering, failure, argument, and spiritual defeat. Three disciples had a glorious mountaintop experience with Jesus, but returned to the other nine who were facing the realities of spiritual battles in the world. Then Jesus stepped into the scene. When Jesus began to work, everything changed. What did Jesus see and do? Whenever a problem arises, as the first step, we need to diagnose it correctly. Then we need to find a solution. As Jesus surveyed the scene, he could diagnose precisely the root problem: unbelief of the generation. He lamented over their unbelief. However, he was not overcome by it. Rather, Jesus planted faith. Jesus said, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.”
As believers, we often face situations that seem impossible. We pray for a change and wait to see a difference. We struggle with sin/habits that refuse to leave. We experience disappointment after disappointment. Sometimes, like the disciples, we wonder why we seem so powerless. At other times, like the father, we wonder whether anything about our situation can really change. In our hopeless situation, Jesus speaks one of the greatest promises in Scripture: “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
With these words, Jesus calls us to lay hold of God’s unlimited power and grace by faith. Let us learn how Jesus turns unbelief into faith and powerlessness into victory!
(I pray,) God please by Your Word today, help our unbelief, and plant genuine faith in each of our hearts, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
1. Bring Your Impossible Situation to Jesus (14-24)
(Read verses 14-17)
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.
15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
When Jesus came down from the mountain, He found a large crowd surrounding His disciples who were arguing with the teachers of the law. This scene is quite different from what had just happened on the mountain. On the mountain there was God’s glory. At the bottom there was confusion, unbelief, and human failure.
Earlier in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus had defended His disciples when they were criticized for eating without ceremonial washing and for picking grain on the Sabbath. Once again He comes to their defense by asking, “What are you arguing with them about?”
Jesus did not embarrass His disciples publicly. Instead, he took control of the situation.
Soon a desperate father stepped forward. “I brought you my son…” The father explained that an evil spirit had robbed his son of speech. Whenever the spirit seized him, it threw him to the ground. He foamed at the mouth, gnashed his teeth, and became rigid.
Imagine this father’s pain as he watched his son suffer everyday. Everyday he feared that he might lose his son to fire or to water, and everyday he felt helpless and powerless over this demon spirit. Yet he never abandoned his son.
Many fathers might have given up long ago. But this father carried his burden faithfully. He even said, “Take pity on us.” His son’s suffering had become his own suffering. This is the heart of a loving father.
When this loving father located some of Jesus’ disciples, he faced yet another disappointment. He said, “I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” Why did they fail?
Earlier Jesus had given them authority over evil spirits (Mk. 6:7,13), and they had driven out many demons. What changed? It was not Jesus’ power that changed. It was their dependence on Jesus. They began relying on yesterday’s victories instead of today’s relationship with Christ. Past success is never a substitute for present faith and devotion. Daily dependence on God is key.
Sometimes, people run to pastors/prophets/prayerful parents when they are troubled. It is okay to have some spiritual guide that we trust, but the ultimate trust must be in Jesus, else we may face many disappointments when the desired solution does not come from the people we classify as disciples of Jesus or servants of God. You need to know that even that great servant of God cries to God daily for help. Everyone needs to have a personal relationship with Jesus through a life of faith and earnest prayer, in order to hear Him and experience His great power. Daily personal devotion may feel like something to neglect while other things gain priority. But through daily devotion to The Word of God and prayer, we get to experience deep personal fellowship with God Abba Father. It is just like an unseen sacrifice that is pleasing to God.
Many Christians make the same mistake today. We remember how God worked years ago. We rely on our knowledge. We depend on experience. But ministry is never accomplished by human ability. Jesus later explained, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” Prayer keeps us dependent on God. Without prayer, ministry becomes human effort. Without faith, ministry loses its spiritual power.
Look at verse 19 – “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
Jesus diagnosed the real problem. He did not only see a demon-possessed boy, He saw an unbelieving generation: The teachers of the law lacked faith; the crowd lacked faith; the disciples lacked faith; even the father struggled with faith. Unbelief was the root disease.
The same problem exists today. Our generation has advanced technology, education, medicine, and communication, yet anxiety, depression, addiction, broken families, violence, and spiritual emptiness continue to grow. The greatest problem is still unbelief. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Unbelief limits our view of God, while faith magnifies God.
After rebuking the father and the people of their lack of faith, Jesus did not condemn the father. Instead He said, “Bring the boy to me.” Wonderful! Jesus did not say, “Your problem is too difficult.” He did not say, “Come back later.” He simply said, “Bring the boy to me.”
These words still speak to us today. We might be carrying impossible burdens in our hearts. There may be different situations or things that represent ‘the boy’ in our lives and homes today. Jesus is saying to you, “bring me ‘the boy’”
Bring your family to me. Bring your broken relationships. Bring your sickness. Bring your fears. Bring your financial struggles. Bring your academic struggles. Bring your ministry challenges. Bring your marriage and good expectations. Bring your children. Bring your future. Bring your impossible situation to Jesus! For nothing is too difficult for Him!
When the boy came, the demon violently attacked him once more. (20)
This teaches us that often Satan intensifies his attacks when someone comes closer to Christ. Sometimes, the bad hit you experience is just a good sign that Jesus has entered the situation and the demons are trembling.
Jesus was not intimidated by demon shenanigans. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” Jesus wants a relationship with the man. We can always talk to Jesus, He has the best ears. So Jesus listened to him as he poured out his heart and confessed years of suffering. We can appreciate the help when we know how much this loving father and his son had suffered. This can be equated to sharing our struggles through testimony writing. As we take sober moments of reflection over our lives, we can deeply understand our need for Jesus.
The man ended by saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
Those words revealed the struggle in his heart. “If you can…” He might have heard many previous helpers confess that they could not help his son, and this had become a theme in his life. Even the disciples could not help, the teachers of the law could not help any more than arguing and causing more tension for the father and his son. So the man had hit rock bottom feeling pathetic. His language had become one of pessimism, “if you can, pity us.”
Jesus immediately corrected him.
Look at verse 23 – “‘If you can?’ Jesus said. Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Jesus shifted the issue away from His ability, and Jesus addressed the matter of faith.
The question was never whether Jesus could. The question was whether the father would trust Him enough for this. When we cry in prayer, we need to take a moment to fix our value system. Do we pray because we believe, or do we just feel the need for pity from God? Remember when Bartimaeus the man that was blind cried out to Jesus at Jericho (Mark 10:47); “Jesus, Son of David! Have mercy on me!” Did you notice? He first acknowledged Jesus by faith as the Son of David. He acknowledged by faith that Jesus is the everlasting King Who can show mercy to anyone. The rest is history. Bartimaeus received mercy, and his sight was restored. In the case of this father in today’s passage, he approached Jesus with ‘if you can..’ and Jesus educated him that everything is possible, when you believe.
Song: there can be miracles, when you believe.. (Verse 2 & chorus)
In this time of fear, When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds, Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I’m standing here, My heart’s so full, I can’t explain
Seeking faith and speaking words, I never thought I’d say..
Chorus
There can be miracles, When you believe
Though hope is frail, It’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles, You can achieve
When you believe, Somehow you will
You will when you believe..
Immediately the father made one of the most honest confessions in Scripture, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Here we learn that faith does not mean to pretend to have no doubts. Rather, faith is bringing our doubts honestly to Jesus.
This father had imperfect faith. But Jesus, the perfect Savior, perfected his faith.
Like Jairus, who heard Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid; just believe,” this father, after interacting with Jesus, chose faith over fear.
Every believer fights unbelief. We need to bring the unbelief to Jesus instead of surrendering to it (unbelief). As a believer, we at least believe Jesus in some way. So when we struggle with impossible situations, let’s humbly pray; “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Keep trusting God no matter what, and His grace will surely reach out.
2. Jesus Gives Victory Through Faith and Prayer (25-29)
(Read verse 25-26a)
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26a The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.
After the father’s confession, Jesus acted immediately. He rebuked the unclean spirit, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
Notice Jesus’ authority. He did not negotiate. He did not struggle. He simply commanded. Because Jesus is Almighty God, every evil spirit must obey Him.
The demon made one final violent attack before leaving. The boy became motionless, and the people thought he was dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, lifting him up alive. Jesus brings life where death seems certain. He restores what Satan destroys. He gives hope where people see only despair. He is still the same powerful Savior today.
(Read verse 28-29)
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.
The disciples asked privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Their question revealed humility. They were embarrassed. They were disappointed. They wanted to know why they had failed. Jesus answered, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” Prayer is the expression of faith in God. We believe God can do all things. Prayer reminds us that God’s work (this kind) can only be accomplished through God’s power. Prayer is depending on God; surrendering ourselves to Him.
A.W. Tozer wrote, “The man who would know God must give time to Him.” Time spent in prayer is never wasted. Spiritual depth does not happen by accident or through quick habits; it requires slow, deliberate focus.
Rushing through life without quiet reflection leaves a person spiritually empty and powerless.
Like the disciples, I have asked similar questions why I have been unable to pray for the sick and see them get healed immediately. This question has followed me for many years since 2016 when in Nigeria UBF, we prayed earnestly for healing for Shepherdess Monica Park of blessed memory. Monica Park was a devoted missionary, wife of Mssn Peter Park, the pioneer of UBF Lagos in Nigeria. They came to Nigeria around 1990, and she served God faithfully for the rest of her life. She was diagnosed with a certain blood sickness (I’m not sure what it was), and we prayed and fasted, but she passed on. This event crushed my spirit in the matters of prayer, and I became more pathetic and pessimistic in my prayer moments. I often deflect from this issue by choosing to just let God do what He wants, and we give Him all the glory. So I pray, but I keep my expectations within the scope of reason. From this passage, I see Jesus diagnosing my problem as unbelief, and I really want to experience the faith that Jesus considers as befitting for me. At this point, I really don’t know what to do about this matter of faith, and I need your prayers. Recently, I find myself staying more with reasoning, fears and questions about the realities of the Church in the Bible versus the realities of today’s Church. I read that Peter’s shadow healed the sick and Paul raised the dead. Can God use (Missionary Emmanuel, …) us today?
When I discovered my current low battery faith, I realised my need for a renewed fellowship with Jesus. I believe in Jesus, at the same time, I acknowledge the presence of unbelief in my heart, so I prayed and I’m praying for God to help me in my moments of struggle. I might not become a prayer giant overnight, but recently I decided to give my faith life a jumpstart by singing at least one hymn a day. As God helps me, from singing one hymnal I may grow to reading short Bible verses, and to saying prayer nuggets. I may hit the spiritual gym once again and build my faith and devotion. Through prayer, my faith is repaired and will grow more. Through Bible study and prayer, I may see more of God and less of my problems and limitations, and His mighty hand will work in my life and through my life.
As a Church, Jesus has informed us that ‘this kind’ – spiritual blessing of healing, deliverance, bearing fruit, raising Bible students that last, etc – this kind can become our normal when we pray earnestly.
Prayer builds our faith because it turns our eyes away from the problem and toward the Almighty God. When we stop praying, we begin trusting ourselves. When we pray, we confess, “I cannot do this. But God can.” This is why prayer and faith always go together. Faith leads us to pray, and prayer strengthens our faith all the more.
The disciples had authority before when Jesus sent them out two by two, and they did heal the sick and cast demons out. This time they depended on themselves, feeling like established deliverance ministers. It is possible that they did not continue in prayer, and Jesus rightly pointed it out – “This kind can come out only by prayer.” Ministry is never sustained by yesterday’s victories. We need fresh faith every day, we also need fresh prayer every day. Daily Bread is God’s powerful way to discipline and train his people (Israel). 40 years of daily bread training transformed slaves into God’s holy people. Seeking God’s Word every day helps us grow spiritually, and makes us strong. Just as the meals we eat every day may seem ordinary, yet they nourish our bodies, help us grow, and give us strength, feeding on God’s Word day by day nourishes our spiritual lives and strengthens our faith. – Let us do Daily Bread diligently! If not, we become weak (and sick).
As missionaries, Bible teachers/students, shepherds, and servants of God, we cannot rely on our education, experience, or previous successes. The past successes may be testimonies and reminders of God’s greatness in our lives, but we must continually rely on God (faith), seeking His power and authority through prayer. Amen! God can truly accomplish His great work through us. Halleluyah!
Conclusion
Today’s passage teaches us that the greatest battle is not against people but against unbelief. Jesus found an unbelieving generation filled with arguments, failure, suffering, and spiritual defeat. Yet He did not give up. He planted faith in one father’s heart. That faith brought healing, victory, and hope.
Jesus still speaks the same words today: “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Are you carrying a burden that seems impossible? Bring it to Jesus. Do you struggle with fears and doubts? Pray like the father in this passage, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” And for some who have become discouraged in Church/ministry. Return to prayer. Depend on God’s power rather than your own. Our generation desperately needs men and women of faith and prayer. You can pick up from where you left off, and hit your own spiritual gym. Go lift one pound at a time – sing hymns everyday, read Bible everyday, pray one small prayer everyday, if possible, have spiritual fellowship everyday. When one person truly breaks unbelief and believes, God can transform a family, a campus, a church, a nation and a generation. Amen!
May we bring every impossible situation to Jesus. May we overcome unbelief through faith and prayer. And God, please help us accept Your promise that ‘everything is possible for one who believes.’ We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.