(1) Repeating words:
a. You unbelieving generation v.19, "If you are able" v.22, Jesus quoted the father, "If you are able?" v.23a (see NIV), believe v.23b, believe v.24a, help my unbelief v.24b.
The experts in the law, the crowd, the father of the child were all not trusting on Jesus. They doubted when His disciplines could not cast out the demons which implied that Jesus was not from God. Jesus was not please to face this unbelieving group:
9:19 He answered them, “You unbelieving generation! How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I endure you? Bring him to me.”
Even when Jesus appeared the father still not sure if Jesus was able.
v.22b But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 9:23 Then Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”
b. The "symptoms" of the child were repeated 3 times;
9:17 A member of the crowd said to him, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that makes him mute. 9:18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.
9:20 So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
v.21b And he said, “From childhood. 9:22 It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
(2) Turning point
In v.19-20 Jesus was displeased by their unbelief, but after the boy had been brought out and had shown all the "symptoms," Jesus asked the father how long has this been happening? Then the "symptoms" were described by the father again v.21-22. Note, from the beginning to here, the father's unbelieving attitude remained the same v.22. However, right at that time, Jesus pointed out the problem to the father and quoted him, v.23“ ‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Jesus gave him a chance to believe.(2) Turning point
In other words, the sufferings of the family moved Jesus's heart. He wanted to help them and thus pointed out the problem to the father.
(3) Reflection: Jesus cares. He cares about our sufferings. Our sufferings move His heart even when our unbelieving attitude did not appeal to Him. Thank God for His love for us. He saw our sufferings and He cares.
The father was unbelief when the disciples did not cast out the demon of his son. He doubted even if Jesus Himself was able to. Do we? Is there any problem too big that we doubt if God is able to change? The pandemic? The international conflicts? Or even to change us from our sin?
Audrey
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