In Mark 9:14-29 we have the story of a father who brought his son to be healed by Jesus. We don’t know how he heard about Jesus, or how far he traveled to get to Him. However, when he arrived to where he was expecting to see Jesus, He was not there, but His disciples thought they were able to help. This is when everything fell a part, they were unable to heal the boy. I can only imagine what was going through the mind of the father. Then the scribes started arguing with the disciples. They were doing their best to degrade the ministry of Jesus Christ, because his disciples failed to heal the boy. The father wants no part of any argument, and feels this has been a waste of time. At this point the father is feeling no one is capable of healing his son. It is at this moment Jesus shows up, but the father is not sure if He can do anything. They bring the boy to Jesus and the spirit convulsed him and he rolled on the ground foaming at the mouth. Then Jesus engages in conversation with the father about the condition of his son. The pain this man is feeling is great and he wants some help. Right now nothing is happening to improve his son’s condition. Then the father says to Jesus, “if you are able to do anything, have pity on us.” Jesus says “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.” Now the Father has to speak the truth in his heart “I believe; help my unbelief!” The father was letting Jesus know, I’m able, but not yet capable. After the father made this statement Jesus healed his son.
To be able means having the power and opportunity. To be capable means having the fitness or quality to achieve a specific thing. At this point the father has the power to believe, but not the fitness or quality to achieve. This is what many fathers are faced with, having the ability, but feeling they are not capable because of prior disappointments. Jesus is teaching us a valuable lesson we can’t be capable until we embrace Him, because He will make us able. Jesus is the One that has the power! This is to all fathers when you hand anything over to Jesus, no matter what it is, He is able and capable!
