From the previous article, Jesus descended the mountain where He was transfigured (as witnessed by three of His disciples), and He found His other disciples in an argument with some teachers of the law. When Jesus asked what the argument was about, a father explained that his son was possessed by a spirit that repeatedly harmed the boy. (See Mark 9:14-19)
Now, you may have experienced the challenge of your car only making a funny sound when it’s not at the mechanic, or having a medical issue that doesn’t show up when you’re actually at the doctor’s office. That was not the case here, though.
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:20-24 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.9.20-24.NIV
Notice that even when the boy was thrown into convulsions, Jesus continued the conversation with the boy’s father, apparently asking some questions even while the spirit was abusing the boy. Some of us might react with fear or panic in a situation like that, but Jesus knew the bigger picture. This afflicted child would be healed (spoiler alert!), and there was more to this opportunity than only healing.
For instance, in this conversation, we can learn at least two key points: Jesus made a significant statement in verse 23, indicating that, for the one who believes, “All things are possible…” [NASB]. We probably know that “all things are possible with God” [see Mark 10:27; see also Matthew 19:26], but here we learn who those possibilities are for (i.e., “one who believes”). As a commentator wrote, “Faith opens up possibilities that remain closed to unbelief.” [Black, p.168] We must not abuse this knowledge, of course. It’s not a vending machine to get whatever we want. However, the more that you and I believe the truth about God’s power and God’s character, the more that we realize that He can do whatever needs to be done, for good [see also Romans 8:28].
I really like the father’s response in verse 24. When Jesus asks him about his hesitation (his “if”), the father doesn’t try to hide things or suggest that he misspoke. He asks for help, delivering one of my favorite quotes, “help my unbelief” [NASB] or “help me overcome my unbelief” [NIV]. And, isn’t that the way that belief works for we humans? We believe, but sometimes we also doubt. We want to believe something wholeheartedly, but nagging voices ask conflicting questions. So, what do we do? I think that this father’s plea is a good one: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
So, before moving to the conclusion of this account, I think that today is a good day to take an inventory of our faith. How much do we trust God, really? If there are some areas of our life where we struggle to rely on God to take care of things, or where we aren’t comfortable leaving things in His hands, let’s not give up or just hide from them and deny that we have those challenges. Instead, like the desperate father in this chapter, we can call out to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
From Sunday School lesson prepared for November 2, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Mark, by Allen Black. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
- Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Matthew Henry. 1706, via BibleGateway.com.
Those Who Sin Differently 