“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23
How much is possible to those who believe? All. Do you believe this?
“Can you believe it?” Have you ever used that term, or heard it being used? This phrase is often used when we hear or experience something surprising and unexpected. Or then we also say “Believe it or not . . .” when something surprising and unexpected happened.
When Jesus was on this earth, many things happened that were unexpected and pleasantly surprising, and I am sure it left many people saying, “can you believe it?” When Jesus calmed the storm the disciples, “marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” Matthew 8:27. You can picture them saying, “Can you believe what just happened?”
Many times, when Jesus performed miracles He asked the person if they believed. When they answered “yes”, the miracle was performed. It was often those who believed in His healing power that sought Him out.
In the Book of Matthew, chapters 8 and 9, we read of events that happened in a journey Jesus made in the Galilean region of Israel. After his record of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew states in Chapter 8:1, that Jesus came down from the mountain and, “great multitudes followed Him.” Matthew then goes on to record some of the experiences they made on this journey around Galilee, the people they met and healed, and experiences they made. He records how it was their faith/belief that brought their healing. Mark and Luke record many of the same experiences from this Galilean tour. On quite a few of the encounters Jesus made, He straightforwardly asked the person if they believed.
Let us retrace the steps of Jesus on this tour. First, we find that Jesus and His group of followers met a leper. Lepers were considered outcasts of society.
“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:2–3 (Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16)
Leprosy was a terrible disease in Jesus’ day. “Of all diseases known in the East the leprosy was most dreaded. Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effect upon its victims, filled the bravest with fear. Among the Jews it was regarded as a judgment on account of sin, and hence was called ‘the stroke,’ ‘the finger of God.’ Deep-rooted, ineradicable, deadly, it was looked upon as a symbol of sin. By the ritual law, the leper was pronounced unclean. Like one already dead, he was shut out from the habitations of men. Whatever he touched was unclean.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 262
In this condition, his case would seem hopeless as far as salvation is concerned. He was cursed. Yet this particular outcast had heard of, and believed in, Jesus. That was enough. He had no fear of coming to Jesus in his frightful condition.
“At sight of him the people fall back in terror. They crowd upon one another in their eagerness to escape from contact with him. Some try to prevent him from approaching Jesus, but in vain. He neither sees nor hears them. Their expressions of loathing are lost upon him. He sees only the Son of God. He hears only the voice that speaks life to the dying. Pressing to Jesus, he casts himself at His feet with the cry, ‘Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.’” –Ibid., p. 263
The leper believed before Jesus said or promised anything. He fell at Jesus’ feet and said with confidence, “I know that you are able to make me clean if you want to.” Jesus did not hesitate. He cured the poor outcast because he believed. I wonder if some of the people in the crowd were saying, “Can you believe what we just saw?”
Do you see yourself as this leper? Do you have faith that Jesus can remove all the taints of leprosy (sin) from your life? Every single one? Every thought, word, and motive? Every lustful desire? Or are you as the others in the crowd, feeling very pious and trying to keep the outcasts and terrible sinners away from the church? Are you wanting to keep the church pure and clean, closing the door to those outcasts whom you deem unworthy and would defile the church?
Next we read how Jesus entered Capernaum and met a Roman centurion; a Gentile from heathen roots. He had been friendly to the Jews and apparently learned of their religion and was amenable to it. He had also heard of the work of Jesus so when his servant got sick, he immediately believed that Jesus could heal the servant. He did not doubt.
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matthew 8:5–8 (Luke 7:1–10). “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Go thy way; and as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” v. 10, 13
Although being a Roman soldier, he had quite a humble opinion of himself, quite the contrast to many of the Jewish leaders. You would think it would be the opposite as Roman soldiers are often thought of as cruel and proud men and religious people as humble. But, no; here we see the opposite.
“The centurion said of himself, ‘I am not worthy.’ His heart had been touched by the grace of Christ. He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help. He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his great need. His faith took hold upon Christ in His true character. He did not believe in Him merely as a worker of miracles, but as the friend and Saviour of mankind.” –Ibid., p. 316–317
The centurion expressed his faith by simply saying, “I know you can heal him. Just speak the word and my servant will be healed.” Jesus answered by saying that the miracle will happen according to your belief. Jesus accepts everyone as friends and helps all, regardless of background or upbringing. All you have to do is believe. Here was a Gentile (a Roman) whom Jesus commended as having greater faith than the Jews.
How is our faith and belief? Do we see a greater belief in people of fallen religions? Unfortunately, sometimes we do. Some Christian organizations seem to have a greater missionary zeal than we see amongst some of our believers. In some heathen religions the suicide bombers really and truly believe they will be in heaven for their sacrifice. We need to have a greater faith than they have. We have a living God who is with us today.
Later we see that Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea by boat.
“And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:23–26 (Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:3841)
It is interesting to read here of a group of men who were lacking faith. These men were in contact with Jesus every day. They heard Him preach and saw Him heal the sick, but in a time of crisis, they did not believe.
When the storm arose, Jesus was peacefully sleeping as the disciples were feverishly trying to steer the boat and empty the water. They had forgotten that Jesus was on board. When they were ready to give up in despair they noticed Jesus. And cried out for Him to save them.
Jesus did not wake up to the shaking of the boat. He did
not wake up to the sound of the thunder or the pouring rain or lightning. That did not disturb Him in the least. Although it must have been loud, what did wake Him up was the cry for help. The storm was so loud that it drowned out their voices. Three times they called out to Him. Finally the third time, “In amazement and despair they exclaim, ‘Master, carest Thou not that we perish?’ How can He rest so peacefully, while they are in danger and battling with death?
“Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, and, their hearts turning to Him, cry, ‘Lord, save us: we perish.’” –Ibid., p. 334–335
The storms do not bother Jesus. He is Master of them. But He is ever so attentive to every cry for help.
“When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. . . . He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith–faith in God’s love and care–that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.
“As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; and it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that He could give them help.” –Ibid., p. 336
Jesus can hear our cry amidst all the tumult of this world, and He speaks peace to our lives. We need to believe and trust Him when difficulties suddenly rise unexpectedly. We cannot save ourselves, but He will bring order to every disordered situation we face if we will believe. As Christ stilled the storms on the Sea of Galilee, He can still the storms of life that burst unexpectedly and with violence over the human soul. Too often the reason we do not experience His power in our lives is that we are fearful and have little faith. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Just believe.
After this experience on the lake, Jesus and His disciples meet two men possessed by demons. Although the demons spoke through these men, Jesus read their hearts, and in their hearts they were desiring freedom. These men believed, and Jesus freed them.
Jesus then enters the city and we find Him in a house, teaching. Many came to hear Him. Then we see a man come for healing. This man is paralyzed—again, an outcast. Mark and Luke write of the challenge it was for his friends to bring him to Jesus as the house was so crowded they could not enter. They ended up cutting through the roof to let him down for Jesus to heal.
“And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Matthew 9:2. “(then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house.” Verse 6–7 (Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26)
“Like the leper, this paralytic had lost all hope of recovery. His disease was the result of a life of sin, and his sufferings were embittered by remorse. He had long before appealed to the Pharisees and doctors, hoping for relief from mental suffering and physical pain. But they coldly pronounced him incurable, and abandoned him to the wrath of God. The Pharisees regarded affliction as an evidence of divine displeasure, and they held themselves aloof from the sick and the needy.” –Ibid., p. 267
Yet, this is not how Jesus looked at the sinner. Although his illness was seemingly his own fault, Jesus had mercy on him. He saw the man’s faith—his belief. And, according to the man’s faith, Jesus healed him.
“The Saviour looked upon the mournful countenance, and saw the pleading eyes fixed upon Him. He understood the case; . . . Now, in words that fell like music on the sufferer’s ear, the Saviour said, ‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.’
“The burden of despair rolls from the sick man’s soul; the peace of forgiveness rests upon his spirit, and shines out upon his countenance. His physical pain is gone, and his whole being is transformed. The helpless paralytic is healed! the guilty sinner is pardoned!” –Ibid., p. 268
Regardless of your past, if you believe. . . . Jesus can and will forgive all your sin. He will heal you of your spiritual illness and give you a new life. Old habits will easily be given up. New power takes over your life. You have the ability to resist all temptation with the power of God. Do you believe this?
It is at this point in time that Jesus calls Matthew. (You can read of this in call in Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:13–14; Luke 5:27–28). Matthew was a rich man, but also considered an outcast. He was a tax collector and these types of men were often considered as traitors to the Jewish society. They were working for the enemy and often charged extra so they could pocket some of the funds. These men were hated and considered social and religious outcasts. Yet, Matthew believed. Jesus called him and he left his job immediately. Others hesitated, making excuses such as, “let me first go and bury my father” (Matthew 8:22), but Matthew makes no excuses. He did not stop to think, how will I pay my bills? How will I provide food for my family? No, he quit his job. He left all and followed immediately when called. He believed God would take care of him and his family and I am sure He never failed Matthew. Matthew became an immediate missionary. He made a feast and invited all his friends and associates to come so that they could hear the words of Jesus also.
Next, we read of a Jewish ruler who came to Jesus. There were a few other Jewish rulers who did believe in Jesus, such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.
“Behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.” Matthew 9:18. Jesus went with this nobleman to his house to heal the little girl. “He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. . . . He went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.” Matthew 9:24–25 (Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56). This man, Jairus by name, was a ruler in the synagogue and he expressed his sincere belief. He simply said, “please come and lay your hand on my daughter as she is nearly dead. I want you to come and heal her.” His faith and belief was rewarded. His daughter was healed according to his faith.
On the way to Jairus’ house, a crowd followed Him and a sick woman was trying to reach Jesus to find healing from her sickness. Another outcast—remember, sickness, especially a prolonged one, was considered a punishment from God.
“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew 9:20–22
“As He was passing, she reached forward, and succeeded in barely touching the border of His garment. But in that moment she knew that she was healed. In that one touch was concentrated the faith of her life, and instantly her pain and feebleness gave place to the vigor of perfect health.” –Ibid., p. 343
Jesus made it clear to everyone that there was no healing virtue in the touching of His garment. It was her faith in His divine power that brought her healing. She believed.
And finally, on our journey we see Jesus met some blind men. They were outcasts also, living the life of beggars
“And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened.” Matthew 9:27–30
The blind men had no doubt about Jesus ability to heal them. Jesus asked them if they believed and they confidently answered, “Yea Lord”. Their eyes were opened, according to their faith.
On this journey around Galilee we see that it was the outcasts of society, the heathens, who had the greatest faith. There was recorded that one Jewish ruler also had faith. At the end of His tour, we read of the religious leaders and their opinion on the work of Jesus. “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.” Matthew 9:34
In the accounts of Jesus’ life recorded in the gospels, there are many others who expressed strong faith and belief in Jesus, some of whom were either Gentiles or considered outcasts from Jewish society.
The wise men (Gentiles) came from a foreign land looking for Jesus. They firmly believed that the star would lead them to Jesus, whom they have read about and were looking forward to meeting (Matthew 2:1–2).
The woman from Canaan whose daughter was possessed by a devil (Matthew 15:22–28) was told by Jesus,
“woman, great is thy faith.” v. 28
It was the thief on the cross who asked Jesus for salvation in his dying hour, believing that Jesus could save him. He was a criminal, an outcast, a man condemned to die for his crime (Luke 23:42–43). Jesus promised Him salvation according to his faith.
It was a Roman soldier who said at the crucifixion, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:54
Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.’’ Matthew 7:1. The gospel is available to every person. That person who may seem to be an outcast in society may be the very one who is being drawn to Jesus. We are call the rich, the poor, the sick and healthy—all are worthy of the love of Jesus.
When Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, He met a man whose son was possessed by a demon. The remaining nine disciples were unable to cast out the demon. Jesus came and was disheartened. He said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you and how long shall I suffer you?” Mark 9:19. Then He spoke the words, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24
Are there times when you are lacking faith and belief? We need to pray the prayer of this father. Help my unbelief. “All things are possible with God, and by faith we may lay hold on His power. But faith is not sight; faith is not feeling; faith is not reality. ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ To abide in faith is to put aside feeling and selfish desires, to walk humbly with the Lord, to appropriate His promises, and apply them to all occasions, believing that God will work out His own plans and purposes in your heart and life by the sanctification of your character; it is to rely entirely, to trust implicitly, upon the faithfulness of God.” –Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 341–342
Yet, sadly, of the Jewish leaders we read in Matthew 23 that seven times Jesus called them hypocrites. Although a few believed, many were constantly trying to undermine His work and were always plotting His death while having an air of holiness. They were doing it for the good of the nation. They said, “It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50
And when they accomplished their purpose, they taunted Him on the cross saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” Matthew 27:42. They had no faith or belief in Jesus as the Messiah who came to save them from their sins.
We are to pray in faith. “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Through faith, God’s children have, “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Hebrews 11:33–34
“The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” –Ibid., p. 347
“The time has come when we are to expect large blessings from the Lord. We must rise to a higher standard on the subject of faith. We have too little faith. The Word of God is our endorsement. We must take it, simply believing every word. With this assurance we may claim large things, and according to our faith it will be unto us.” –That I May Know Him, p. 226
“Faith such as this is needed in the world today–faith that will lay hold on the promises of God’s word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears. Faith such as this connects us closely with Heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. And through faith we today are to reach the heights of God’s purpose for us.” –Prophets and King, p. 157
Wendy Eaton