Mark 9:21-23/ The Difference Between "if you can" and "if you are willing"

Mark 9:21-23/ The Difference Between "if you can" and "if you are willing"

21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:21-23

 This man came to Jesus in hopes that He would heal his son. The man said, "if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." The words "if you can" did not sit right with Jesus. He responded with a mild rebuke and some direction saying, "'if you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." In other words, nothing is a matter of "if God can." God can. So, those who believe should approach God assuming God can. 

 That is how Jesus approached the Father on the eve of His crucifixion. He said, "… “Father, if you are willing remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done," in Luke 22:42. Jesus assumed the Father could remove the cup. For Him, and for us, it's never a matter of if God can—it is a matter of if God will. 

 Over time, as we face the challenges of life, we can slip into an "if you can" disposition in our approach to God. That's what happened to the man; just before he went to Jesus, the disciples could not cast the demon out of his son, which made his problem seem impossible to fix. With that, his belief had waivered some. That's why he said in the very next verse, "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” in Mark 9:24.

 We will face things in life that seem impossible. And when we do our belief could begin to waiver. If we are not careful we could begin coming to God with an "if you can" disposition, which is not honoring to Him because God has told us all things are possible with Him. 

 So, we must stand on what we know to be true about Him and believe! And that really is the difference between the "if you can" and "if you are willing" approaches to God—belief. 

Is there an area of your life that seems impossible right now?

Has it caused you to slip into disbelieving God can do what is seemingly impossible in your life?

 God has said He can do anything. Ask Jesus to help you believe that. Ask Him to help you be like Him and approach God with a disposition of "if you are willing," assuming that God can.  Ask Him to remind you that He can do the seemingly impossible in your life. If He is willing, we could see God move in powerful ways this week!

If you want to dig deeper into this, need help, need prayer, or have questions—please reach out to us here: Roots Help & Prayer Form

In Christ, 

Pastor Kevin