belief

Mountain toss

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Do you believe that what you ask will really come about? Mark 11:20-26

The next morning, Jesus and his disciples pass by the fig tree which he had cursed the day before. Peter notices that the tree is completely withered, as if it had been dead for years. Jesus says simply, “Have faith in God.”

He then refers to a popular saying at the time regarding mountains being picked up and tossed into the sea. The inference was that this was absolutely impossible. Not so, says he, if anyone just says “Be taken up and cast into the sea”, it will happen as long as there is no doubt in his heart.

Belief and prayer combined are a powerful force. Such power could accomplish much in ridding Israel of its enemies and establishing the Messiah’s kingdom. Remember, there are those among the disciples who have sought such power. So why is there no response on their part? Why aren’t they eagerly lining up, begging Jesus, “Let me try!” and “No, me first”?

First, there may have been confusion in their minds about the cursed fig tree. Was he talking about Israel? Why would it be unfruitful? This didn’t sound much like the promised messianic kingdom (there will be more concerning Israel later).

Second, those who have God’s authority and power on this earth had just been soundly rebuked the day before for their abuse of that power. What did this mean about their traditions? the Law? What about sacrifices and giving?

Finally, Jesus gives a new reason to be hesitant. They had heard the idea from him before, but now he links forgiveness to powerful prayer. Actually, he connects it to a vital relationship with God. If you expect God to forgive you, you must also forgive those in your life who have wronged you. As long as you hold anything against another, God will seem distant from you.

“Have faith in God” identifies the object of that faith. Belief is based on truth. Belief in a fantasy or wild hope will yield nothing but frustration. God is truth. To know truth, you must know God. How do you do that? By spending time with him and his people. By reading his word, the Bible. Soon you will think the way he thinks, respond the way he does and act in a way he prescribes. Praying for the things God wants to see happen will begin to seem second nature and powerful results will follow.

Copyright 2020 David J. Cooley

Anything but prayer

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“I do believe, help my unbelief” Mark 9:14-29

Jesus, Peter, James and John come down from the mountain to find a crowd gathered and the remaining disciples arguing with some scribes. As soon as Jesus is spotted, the focus changes and the crowd moves toward him.

A man steps forward and explains that he brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus but his disciples were unable to help. Jesus berates the disciples for their unbelief, expressing frustration at their lack of growth despite his constant teaching and example among them. The scribes are fortunate that Jesus does not single them out. For all their arguments, they have done nothing to help the boy, either.

Jesus asks for the boy and when he is brought, the unclean spirit throws him to the ground in convulsions. It seems odd that Jesus’ first response is to ask the father, “How long has this been happening? as if we have suddenly tuned into a TV medical drama. But perhaps Jesus is only turning the father’s attention away from the persistent demon and is instead directing it to himself. The father must not lose sight of the fact that Jesus is his one source of hope.

The man’s faith apparently extended far enough to come to Jesus, but he is otherwise empty of anything he can use to commend his case to Jesus. He has nothing with which to influence the Lord’s favor. All he can do is reveal the smallness of his cup of faith and confess his greater reservoir of unbelief. Jesus likely would have done more to strengthen and encourage him, but the crowd was pressing in, demanding a spectacle. Jesus quickly commands the spirit to leave, and it does, but only after a final defiant and violent fit that caused the onlookers to fear the boy was dead. Jesus, however, takes the boy by the hand and restores him to his father.

Later the disciples ask Jesus why they had been unable to cast out the spirit. He replies, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.” Was he talking about a specific prayer to be used in a case like this or an active prayer life in general?

Prayer of course is important in maintaining our relationship with God. However, our prayers can actually reveal our own fears or pride when we use them to instruct God on how to mind his universe or to impress those around us with our spiritual prowess. We can easily fool ourselves into thinking that performing a spiritual exercise is a good substitute for a close and intimate fellowship with God.

Copyright 2020 David J. Cooley

What is this?

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“…he could do no miracle there…” Mark 6:1-6

Local boy makes good, becomes famous and leads a large ministry of teaching and healing throughout Judea. You’d think the local paper would be trumpeting the news, bragging about how great and wonderful their town was in producing such a great wonder. But that wasn’t the case.

Yes, they were astonished at his wisdom and marveled at the miracles they had heard about. They did not deny any of this. What then was the root of their complaint?

It may have been just a matter of knowing him too well. They had no reason to suspect that he was God in the flesh. The Jesus they had known for years was just a man, like any other. What else could he be? He was the village carpenter, after his father Joseph. They were familiar with him and his work. They knew the family: his mother, brothers and sisters. Nothing particularly special about any of them. Just where did he get these “super powers”? What made him think he knew God any better than they did?

People today can have a similar perception. Many of us have heard the Bible stories so many times that they no longer register any meaning in us. The stories haven’t really sunk in. They don’t impact our daily routine. We keep that part separate from work and our life between the Sundays. Why shouldn’t we? For a lot of us, church and religion isn’t deemed relevant in the “real” world. Good examples of good Christian lives are often few and far between.

Jesus knew what was going on with the people of Nazareth. It’s likely the same thing for us as well. Mark tells us he “wondered at their disbelief.” Belief is not the same as knowing facts, rules and doctrine. Nor is it knowing how to behave or say the right things around certain people. What we really believe will show up in who we are, how we react and who people know us to be.

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Faith training wheels

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“Don’t be afraid… only believe.” Mark 5:21-42

We now come to two more famous stories: Jairus and his daughter and the woman with the flow of blood. While neither is connected with the other, the stories do intersect and impact each other. The problem with well-known stories is simply that we think we already know what they say. We skip through them thinking we’ve pondered all there is to be considered, not expecting to find anything new. But the word of God, being living and active, should never be regarded as the agent of boredom.

Both Jairus and the woman acted in faith, though each had exhausted every other means of help before turning to Jesus. They each had decided that a specific means would accomplish their faith’s object: “Please come and lay your hands on her” and “If I just touch his garments…” As we know from the Roman centurion’s example, such conditions are not necessary for Jesus to work a miracle.

Yet Jesus honored their faith and fulfilled their requests, despite the way outside influences such as culture and tradition may have shaped their expectations. As usual, God sees past the externals and examines the heart and its true motivations. By granting healing to these two, Jesus improves their faith while increasing their knowledge of his nature. The woman can’t get away with sneaking up to him and taking a “stealth” healing from him. Healing requires a personal encounter with Jesus. There is no method or formula that works automatically. Jesus is always intimately involved.

Not much is said to reveal Jairus’ inner feelings. He seemes dazed, as if in shock, going through the motions of doing what he thinks should be done. Jesus agrees to come with Jairus, but then is interrupted by the woman in her need. Then the news comes – Jairus’ daughter has died. Jesus speaks to the turmoil Jairus had kept inside, “Don’t be afraid anymore, only believe.” That was the needed thing. Belief will overcome all obstacles and distractions. A belief that Jesus will make all things right for those he loves and that he will deliver us all safely to the end.

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Not Disappointed

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How many of us drive out onto a bridge without a second thought? What is the basis of our confidence that it will support the weight of ourselves and our vehicles and not send us crashing into the river below?

It really is pretty simple. We’ve seen other people cross the bridge without incident. We may have crossed it ourselves at other times. The standards of trained and experienced professionals are applied and enforced by the power of government in its construction. And the occurrence of a catastrophic failure is rare indeed.

But that begs the question: Are the works of man greater and more reliable than the works of God? Peter is convinced this is not so and quotes Scripture to underscore his point:

Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed. (1 Peter 2:6 NASB)

This is not common knowledge. There are many who claim that their own personal experience demonstrates God can not be trusted with their lives. Thus they exempt themselves from the blessings God has for the believer.

On the other hand, we who believe in Him are so convinced of His dependability that we take every opportunity to proclaim His excellence. If not, then there is no better time to begin than now. After all, we were once without mercy and now we have received mercy in a measure far beyond what we deserve.

1 Peter 2:6-10

Copyright 2018 David J. Cooley