prayer

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

Jesus gone?

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“…rising up a great while before day, he went out…” Mark 1:35-39

Simon drowsily rolled over in his bed. It was not often he got to sleep in. I could get used to this following Jesus thing, he thought. Fishing is much harder work and starts way earlier.

His brother Andrew burst in: “Jesus is gone!” Simon’s eyes jerked open. He was instantly alert, no less than if Andrew had shouted “Man overboard!” Where had Jesus gone?

Simon got James and John and together the four searched Capernaum without any luck. Many of the townspeople joined in the search. What had become of the miracle worker? Was it only yesterday that he had healed the sick and cast out so many demons? No, it was just last night! Why would he abandon us? There were so many needy people left.

Simon and his companions found him first. Jesus was alone, praying in a very secluded spot. This, as they would later discover, was his normal routine. It must have been one of those awkward moments you instantly regret. They were intruding on something very private, something very holy. All they could think of saying was “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus may have smiled a little, realizing that they, too, were just as desperate to find him as the crowds were.

For, you see, there was no need. He was there all the time. His response to them was to give the order of the day: “Let’s go on to the next town so I can preach to them, too. Because that is why I am here.” It must have felt good to hear him say “Let’s go on…” He still wanted them with him.

How long does your faith last? Most of us have experienced some great display of God’s care and concern for us. But that doesn’t happen every day. Does our faith remain true and firm even when there is nothing around at the moment to bolster our faith?

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Deal with… who?

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“If you call on the Father…” In other words, when you pray, you need to keep in mind who you are dealing with. We can easily slip into the trap of thinking that something about us, what we do or say or what we give, somehow gets us in good with God.

None of this commands God’s attention when it comes to redemption. God sees all things and judges each man’s work and motives fairly and indiscriminately. Do you really want to place your soul before God on the basis of such things?

Rather, the basis for our salvation is what God has done through the giving of his Son as a sacrificial Lamb to remove forever the stain of our sin. Whatever we do is in response to God’s grace, and in fact fulfills his desire for us, as Paul declares in his letter to the Ephesians:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:8-10 ESV)

1 Peter 1:17-21

(c)2018 David J. Cooley