The verse in question comes from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verse 23. In this verse, Jesus tells a man whose son is afflicted by an unclean spirit, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” This is a powerful statement that has encouraged and challenged Christians throughout the ages. But what exactly does Jesus mean here? Let’s explore this verse in context to gain a fuller understanding.
To set the stage, Jesus has just come down from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John (Mark 9:2-13). When they rejoin the other disciples, they find them in dispute with some scribes. The scribes are questioning the disciples’ inability to heal a boy possessed by an evil spirit (Mark 9:14-18).
The boy’s father pleas with Jesus, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus responds, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” The father then cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24).
With this background, we can now dig deeper into the meaning of Jesus’ statement in Mark 9:23:
1. All things are possible with God
The scope of “all things” is unlimited. For God, nothing is impossible. We see this demonstrated throughout Scripture, such as when the angel Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive Jesus as a virgin (Luke 1:37). Jesus is reminding the father in Mark 9 that God’s power is limitless.
2. All things are possible for those who have faith
Jesus links the scope of possibility to the condition of faith. What we deem impossible becomes possible when we place our faith in an omnipotent God. Jesus makes clear that only the one who believes can access this power.
3. Childlike faith opens the door to the supernatural
The distraught father models such faith. He cries out to Jesus from a point of desperation and utter dependence. His plea embodies the type of humble, childlike faith Jesus requires for us to align our limited human perspective with God’s unlimited power and love.
4. Faith involves believing before seeing
The father asks for help with his unbelief. His faith is imperfect. But he believes enough to appeal to Jesus. And that small seed of faith opens the door for Jesus to enter in powerfully. True faith means believing without seeing first.
5. Faith manifests itself in action
Notice the father seeks out Jesus. He brings his son to the disciples first. Then he tracks down Jesus. He actively petitions Christ for healing. True faith implies trusting God enough to step out in obedience, even when we don’t see how God might work.
6. God desires to increase our faith
Jesus does not rebuke the father for his small faith but compassionately heals his son, knowing this will bolster his faith. Our heavenly Father wishes to enlarge our faith so we can partner with Him in impossible things. If we bring our small faith to God, He will enlarge it.
7. All things includes physical healing
In this context, the “all things” Jesus references includes physical healing from sickness and disability. Complete restoration of the boy reflects God’s desire and power to heal. We limit God if we think all things excludes physical miracles.
8. All things involves spiritual deliverance from demonic forces
This story centers around freeing someone from demonic bondage. The unclean spirit afflicting the child is no match for the power of Christ. What seems impossible to us is possible for Jesus. Faith in Him can lead to supernatural spiritual liberation.
9. All things encompasses deeper trust in God’s character and purposes
Physical healings showcase God’s power. But God is also able to use painful circumstances for greater inner healing and maturity. As we believe God can work powerfully through suffering, we access a deeper trust in His perfect will.
10. All things is linked to God’s glory
God displays His glory through miracles that point to His greatness. But He also shows his glory through empowering His children to endure suffering with grace and hope. As we believe God works in impossible situations, it magnifies His goodness, drawing more people to Him.
In summary, when Jesus declares “all things are possible to him who believes,” He means we can access the limitless power, love and resources of God through childlike faith. This requires bringing Him our brokenness and requests, believing before seeing, and trusting God no matter how impossible things seem. When we live with this kind of reckless faith, we will see God move in ways beyond our wildest dreams.
Expanding on the key points:
God’s power is unlimited
The heart of Jesus’ statement is that God is omnipotent. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord. He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He spoke the universe into existence with a word. As Gabriel said to Mary when announcing her miraculous pregnancy, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
When we comprehend the magnitude of God’s power, it expands our perspective. Our view of what is attainable shifts dramatically. The God who parted the Red Sea and raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who lives within believers today. With Him, all things are possible.
Faith taps us into God’s power
What we need to access thisAlmighty power is faith. Scripture says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Our sovereign God chooses to limit Himself to working through the faith of His people. When we have faith, we align our hearts with God’s limitless power and open the door for Him to work mightily through us.
Faith believes before seeing
Genuine faith believes before experiencing God’s power firsthand. The father cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” His faith was weak and imperfect. But he still had faith. There are many examples in the Bible where God rewards people for having faith without giving them complete understanding beforehand. For instance, Noah built the ark before ever seeing rain because he trusted God (Hebrews 11:7). Faith means stepping out in obedience before we understand how God will work.
Childlike faith receives God’s miracles
The distraught father models childlike faith. He comes to Jesus out of sheer desperation. He knows he has nowhere else to turn. Jesus says we must receive the Kingdom with the humility and wonder of a child (Luke 18:17). Rather than relying on our limited human perspective, we must look to God our Father with wide-eyed anticipation of how He will work. It is this kind of childlike faith that moves God’s heart to shower us with His miracles.
Active faith steps out
The father actively seeks out Jesus. He brings his afflicted son to the disciples first. When that doesn’t work, he tracks down Jesus. His faith compels him to intercede on his son’s behalf. Active faith implies action. We step out in trust and obedience, even when we don’t yet see the outcome. It may involve praying for someone, extending forgiveness, giving generously, or speaking out boldly. As James says, true living faith reveals itself through works (James 2:18).
God wants to enlarge our faith
Jesus does not rebuke the father for his imperfect faith but compassionately heals his son. This encourages greater faith. The Bible says our faith can grow. In fact, God desires to increase our faith (2 Thessalonians 1:3). The more we bring our weakness to God and see Him answer boldly, the more our faith expands. It becomes a positive cycle: faith leads to God’s action, which then increases our faith.
Physical healing is included
The context here shows that the “all things” Jesus mentions includes physical healing. The boy is completely restored to full strength. This demonstrates God’s clear power and desire to miraculously heal sickness and disability. Physical healings point to the truth of Christ and the authority of God’s Kingdom. We limit God if we claim physical miracles no longer occur. Healing brings glory to God.
Deliverance from spiritual forces
The boy is oppressed by a demonic spirit. Jesus authoritatively casts out the demon with a word. This shows that the forces of spiritual darkness are no match for the power of Christ at work through faith. Jesus promises believers we have authority over the enemy in His name (Luke 10:19). The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus setting people free from demonic bondage. God’s power includes spiritual deliverance.
Trusting God’s character and purposes
While God may miraculously heal a physical ailment, often He chooses not to. He can use suffering for greater purposes like refining character, drawing people to Christ or revealing His comfort and peace. As we trust God has good plans for our pain, we access a profound faith tied to His character rather than just outcomes. This faith believes God works powerfully even without physical manifestations.
Brings glory to God
Physical miracles certainly showcase God’s power and glory. But God is also glorified as people endure hardship while clinging to hope in His goodness. This points others to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. As we trust God in impossible situations, people take notice. Our faith leads to God receiving glory and honor.
Conclusion
When Jesus declares that all things are possible to those who believe, He makes an astonishing claim that has resonated through the centuries. Jesus links God’s omnipotent power to simple faith in Him. With a faith that believes before seeing and steps out in obedience, we open the door for God’s miraculous intervention. This faith believes He can work powerfully for our physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing, according to His divine purposes. As we embrace childlike faith in the God of the impossible, we will witness Him moving in ways that can only be explained by His greatness. Our faith will grow as we see our amazing God turn impossible situations into platforms to display His glory.