Thursday, February 27

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Leviticus 20:22–22:16

Mark 9:1–29

Psalm 43:1–5

Proverbs 10:18

 

 

“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 him who believes.’”

 

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” (March 9:21–24)

 

 

Pastor Scott has discussed this passage several times, but the core truths here are definitely worth revisiting.  I often find myself exactly in the father’s position:  trusting in God’s hand but desiring to trust Him more.  Have you struggled with this balance before?

 

Two images came to mind in considering this passage:  a pie chart of belief/unbelief and the “logic” behind Zeno’s paradox.  Please imagine a pie chart in your mind’s eye with two slices:  one representing your current state of trust/belief and the other representing distrust/unbelief.  This pie chart adjusts fluidly through time, right?  One moment, we may experience a nearly complete trust/belief slice, but momentary struggles may force the distrust/unbelief slice to grow.  The two slices push at one another, and reality tells us that, if we are not actively expanding the trust/belief slice, it will begin collapsing under the weight of worry, fear, and doubt.  We will explore how this trust/belief slice may grow in a moment.

 

Additionally, I would like to introduce Zeno’s paradox.  This mathematical concept involves the consideration of “limits.”  Zeno noticed that, if one were to look at a race, each runner at some point reaches the halfway point (50%).  Then, in the remaining 50%, he or she then reaches the halfway point of that segment, or 75% of the total.  We may continue this subdivision of the remaining portion until a very small subset remains (~0.01%) of the race.  Zeno posited that the runner may never finish the race, given that the small halfway sections would approach zero but never become zero.  Yet, the runners do finish the race, pointing to the reality that mathematical and physical limits do exist.  Otherwise, we would never “finish” anything.  Whew!

 

In the Christian life, however, we find that Zeno’s paradox does hold to some extent, as our best attempts to grow the trust/belief slice face impediments from the world, the Evil One, and our own hearts and minds.  Faith and trust often feel like paddling upstream, struggling against a current of worldliness and frustration.

 

How may we combat these forces?  Two key realizations seem crucial:  1) we must become intimately familiar with the One who “can,” and 2) the battle belongs to the Lord.

 

Knowing Jesus and His power involves both our heads and our hearts.  Merely recognizing His goodness doesn’t unlock faith; we must instead experience His Presence and sense His mighty power.  Our faith grows when we willingly surrender and beg Him for a demonstration of His power and majesty.  The father could not bring about healing through money, possessions, or rituals; rather, he needed just to trust and rest in Jesus’s power, taking His yoke.  As Mary did when she had seen the promised Messiah’s coming, we may “treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts.” (Luke 2:19)  Please notice that this joy came to Mary because, as the “Lord’s servant,” she trusted that God’s “word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

 

We also do not fight this battle alone, relying on our own strength.  As Chad taught on Sunday, God draws near to us as we draw near to Him. (James 4:8)  Those who eagerly seek the filling and power of the Holy Spirit will receive His power as part of a request after God’s will. (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 5:14,15; Acts 4:22–31)  As we seek to live according to His Word, we know that He is fully able to accomplish His purposes.   As Jeremiah exclaimed, ““Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (32:17)  Amen, and amen.

 

 

Lord Jesus, help us to overcome unbelief.  Reveal Yourself more fully in our lives so that we may trust You and comprehend Your awesome majesty more deeply.  Make us hungry for You and not for the world’s lies and idols.  Bring us into a more profound relationship of love and a fuller picture of Your goodness.  We desperately need You on a moment-by-moment basis.  May Your glory overwhelm us and cause many people to draw near to You:  in Grace Church, our local communities, our state, our country, and our world.  Come, Lord Jesus, come.  In Your precious Name, amen.

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