All authority

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This father had already asked the disciples to deliver his son and they failed. Perhaps he wrongly assumed that their master was likewise unable. The disciples assumed they would be able as they had experienced a victorious time where the demons were subject to them. I wonder if their confidence came from themselves and not the authority Jesus had given them? When they asked Jesus why they could not set the man free He said, “this kind onky comes out through prayer and fasting”. Why did this demon have greater authority to stay? It’s power was subject to Jesus’ authority nonetheless.

I once encountered a man with a spirit of anger. I was walking on the beach with my dog. I could feel it coming from far away. The man came and told me off for having my dog on the beach. I thanked him for the information and moved on. This man did not want deliverance. Another time I met a woman with an unclean spirit who was seeking to cause trouble in a church we were pioneering. She did not want deliverance either. However, another time I sensed a spirit of infirmity on a woman who had lied about her relationship. I led her to repent and she was set free and healed. 

As a youth leader we experienced a young man badly afflicted by epilepsy. We prayed for him and he was not set free. This was very disappointing as the young man went on to have brain surgery to relieve the problem. Like the disciples I questioned why he was not set free. Like them I can only assume that what Jesus applied to their failure was also ours.

Jesus lived a holy life dedicated to seeking His father and walking in the spirit. When I fail I assume the problem is mine. He has all authority! Amen!