I Know He Can

I meet with a group of friends for breakfast each Friday morning. It’s a pretty small group, just four of us, but this get-together has become a pretty important part of my week.  While I always enjoy a good breakfast, that’s not really the point of meeting. We share with each other about our respective weeks. We talk about what’s going on with each of us in our work, our families, at our churches. What we need prayer for, what’s lifting us up and what’s bringing us down.

Additionally, in the midst of this gathering, we read the Bible together. I wouldn’t call it a “study.” We simply follow a reading plan and then share our thoughts and insights when we meet. The four of us have all been around the block a few times so there is plenty to share. It’s here, in this simple reading and sharing, that things sometimes just jump out. You probably know how it is. You’ve read or seen a Bible verse, or passage, a hundred times and suddenly, it is fresh and new. You see it in a way that you’ve never quite grasped before.

We happened to be reading the book of Mark. Specifically, the ninth chapter. There is a story there about a man who brings his demon possessed son to Jesus. He loves his son, of course. He is desperate. He has nowhere else to go, so he brings his son to Jesus. “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:22).

It’s Jesus’ response that took me by surprise. I’ve read it before, but I saw it in a new light. It showed me something about the attitude we sometimes have toward Jesus. Why? Because it seems we are just like this man, if not all the time, at least some of the time. What was Jesus’ response to this man’s request? “’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23).

Did you catch it? “’If you can’?” I, and maybe you do too, sometimes overlook the simplest thing. Do you see the quotation inside the quotation and the added question mark? Jesus is repeating back part of this man’s question and turning it back on him. Now, I don’t want to take this too far, but I get a sense of incredulity in Jesus’ answer. Maybe even a hint of sarcasm. In more modern terms, we might put it this way, “Seriously!”, Jesus might say, “Why would you ask me that? Of course, I can.”

You see, the man in the story was desperate. He came to Jesus because he had nowhere else to go. But he wasn’t sure that Jesus really could do anything. And maybe, just maybe, for this man at least, it is understandable. After all, he had probably heard of Jesus and the amazing things He had done, but he may not have seen Him firsthand. Besides that, Jesus’ disciples hadn’t been able to drive out this demon. So, it makes sense that this man would think that Jesus might not be able to do this miraculous thing either. But He can!

And what about us? We who call ourselves believers and followers of Jesus. Don’t we sometimes, maybe often, approach Jesus in the same way? We are desperate, we have nowhere else to go, but we’re not sure Jesus can do anything about it. Do we lack faith? We might not say it out loud. But inside, deep inside, do we doubt? Do we ask, can He do it? When we hear that gnawing question, we have to respond with, “I know He can!”

Unlike the father that Jesus helped in this story, we already know who Jesus is. We know He is the Son of God. So, we can say confidently, “I know He can!” We know that He made all things. So, we can say confidently, “I know He can!” We know that He calmed the storm. So, we can say confidently, “I know He can!” We know that He healed the sick and raised the dead. So, we can say confidently, “I know He can!” We know that all power and authority is His, over heaven and earth, and all of creation. So, we can say confidently, “I know He can!” We know who He is. What a comfort it is to know with certainty that nothing is outside of His power.

Still, there is more good news from this story, even when our faith is lacking. And, because we are human and imperfect, there simply will be those days. When we doubt, when we falter, we can plead for additional faith. Just like the father in this story we exclaim, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Jesus doesn’t turn away. Even if and when we aren’t sure of Him, He compassionately responds. He gives us what we need. And, in the process, gives us a stronger faith.     

Say it with me! “I know He can!”

Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.

Image by Wallpaper Cave