“All Things are Possible”
Mark 9:14-29
September 16, 2018 – Redeemer
“All things are possible for the one who believes.” So I should be able to get rich without working. I can aspire to play in the NBA even if I’m 4’11” tall. Even though I don’t know a thing about business I should be able to start a successful restaurant because I like food. After all, “all things are possible for the one who believes.” Jesus said so.
By now you’ve probably guessed that I’m not interpreting this passage correctly. Jesus isn’t talking about your wealth, your success, or whatever your heart desires. Look at the context. All the impossible things that God works are centered on Jesus. All the things that are possible are all the things Jesus came to do that were impossible for you. All things are possible for the one who believes in Jesus.
The man to whom Jesus speaks those words faced an impossibility only Jesus could fix. What did the man need? A god stronger than a demon. A god who could free his son from bondage. A god who could fix the damage caused by our sin. These things are all possible for those who believe in Jesus – forgiveness of your sins, deliverance from the Devil, the resurrection of your restored body. That may not be as exciting as playing in the NBA or being rich without working, but it is a far greater impossibility and God works it for you in Jesus.
Context: Jesus has just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration when all of this happened. On that mountain, Peter, James, and John had seen the fullness of God shine so brightly through the flesh of Jesus that they hit the deck and could not even look up at Him.
After coming down the mountain, they met up with the rest of the 12 and find an argument taking place. The Scribes are going at it with Jesus’ men. Jesus asks, “What are you arguing about?” A man from the crowd answers. He was bringing his demon possessed epileptic son to Jesus. He didn’t find Jesus but he found his men; however, they were unable to cast out the demon. The Scribes were no doubt heaping embarrassment and shame on the apostles. “What’s the matter? Can’t do anything when Jesus isn’t right beside you? Some god you have! He can’t even cast out a demon! This Messiah of yours is fake news.”
To the disciples’ failure Jesus says, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” Jesus’ men failed because, in some way, they were acting apart from faith. Maybe they were treating Jesus’ name like a good luck charm. Go through the motions and throw the name of Jesus around. Hope something sticks. Perhaps they began to believe in themselves instead of the name of Jesus. He had given them the authority to cast out demons, but the temptation was to believe in themselves, to think His Kingdom was about them and their desires, not Jesus and His desire.
What would Jesus say of our generation — of us? Could He call us faithless? Do we twist this Bible passage and look to God for the impossible desires of our heart, while forgetting that greatest impossibility of all – He forgives us in Christ. Do we treat the name of Jesus like a lucky charm? Praying for help in times of trouble, but neglecting the daily habit of prayer. How often do we complain that God has forgotten us because He hasn’t given us what we desire? Do we cling to Christ alone in life and in death, knowing that our salvation is not only possible, but certain? O faithless generation.
The man and his son were in an Alcatraz of affliction. There was no way to escape demon possession. Whether it was the demon’s work or the boy’s brokenness they were imprisoned. The boy was epileptic, deaf, and mute, and a demon had hold of him. There is no way for mere flesh and blood to stand against a spirit.
Except for the flesh and blood of Jesus because He isn’t mere flesh and blood. He is God in the flesh. The Father created all things through His Word, through Jesus. Jesus created the angels, some of whom fell, led by the devil himself. Creatures answer to their Creator. Evil angels, even the Devil must obey Jesus. But this is where our impossibility arises. The Demon had every right to that boy, even as the Devil has every right to you. You were born in sin, bound to the Devil’s rule. That’s what the sins of your great, great, great, grandparents Adam and Eve left you as inheritance. They left the family of God to dine with the Devil. They traded the fatherhood of God for slavery to Satan. The Devil has rightful claim to this boy, to every human, to you, because we are sinners. Escape is impossible – not only would you need to stop sinning, but you would need to right every sin you ever committed all the way back to Adam and Eve’s sin. The Devil has a strong hold on us because of our sin.
Jesus does the impossible for this man, for his boy. He sets the boy free with His word. This is an ornery demon. He doesn’t want to let go. He tries to rip apart the boy one last time, but finally he must leave. Jesus said so. The boy is on the ground like a dead man – or so everyone thinks, but set free from the demon, Jesus raises Him. He is alive, hearing, speaking, seizure free.
O faithless generation … how long am I to bear with you? All the way to the cross. Jesus will bear us through death to the resurrection. He will bear us for all eternity. When Jesus came down from His transfiguration He set His face to Jerusalem – to the cross. Jesus is going to the cross to do for everyone what He did for the epileptic boy. He has come to do what is impossible for us – live a sinless life and pay a price sufficient to atone for our sins. The devil can only reign over sinners. Christ Jesus died for sinners, for all sinners, for you. His perfect life sacrificed on the cross is more than sufficient to pay for your sins.
You’re forgiven. The Devil has no hold on you and that really ticks him off. The Devil cannot undo the cross of Jesus. He couldn’t stop the resurrection. Jesus won; the Devil lost, but he’s a sore loser. He cannot beat Jesus so he goes after your faith. He’ll use your troubles to assault you. He’ll bring up your sins to soil your conscience. The only victory he has is when he convinces you not to believe in this impossibility – that Jesus Christ died for you, that you are forgiven, and that you are free from the guilt of sin, the sting of death, and the dominion of the Devil. It isn’t any wonder that the man prayed, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” Indeed Lord, we believe, help our unbelief. Help us to believe in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pr. Bruce Timm
September 15, 2018 anno Domini