Sunday, week five: In his absence (Devotions for Lent from the Gospel of Mark)

Jesus, Peter, James, and John reunite with the rest of the disciples at the bottom of the mountain. There is a great commotion, for the disciples have been attempting to heal a convulsing boy, without much success.

There is great doubt that anything at all can be done for the boy, even by Jesus. “You faithless generation,” Jesus responds. “How much longer must I put up with you?”

It seems that people have short memories, constant demands, or little faith. Or maybe all three. The minute Jesus is gone and a challenge presents itself, people begin to think, “He healed those people then, but what has he done lately? Can he do anything about this?”

Frustrated, Jesus rants and them and then says, “Bring me the boy.” He asks the father to tell him all about this illness. The father complies. Then he says, “If you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.”

If you are able.

Now there’s a terrible phrase in the life of a believer. Jesus has never had a problem with ability. The only time he has been impotent was when he was in his home town. When people thought they knew all about him and perceived him to be small, he could do next to nothing.

Everywhere else, people have believed. They have demanded that he be big and bold. People have been throwing themselves headlong into his mystery and into his expanding compassion and no one has come away disappointed, except those who want to control him. (They are necessarily disappointed, because there’s no way to control him.)

He steps away for a moment, to go up the mountain and pray, and just like that, doubt is the order of the day.

How does Jesus respond? By saying, “All things can be done for the one who believes.” He responds by healing the boy.

Text for the day:

Mark 9:14-29

Things to think about:

Jesus has infinite power over the things that cast us into water and fire and threaten to destroy us. He calls us to believe in him and his power, especially when it seems like he is absent.

Things to do:

Pray for faith to be present in the believing community.

Jesus, help my own unbelief.