Believe that I am able? By Gerald Van Horn
Matthew 9:28 “And when he had come into the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this?”
This question asked by our Lord begs for an answer. Did you ever have someone ask a question or give a quiz and then say, “I’ll give you the answer tomorrow!” Man! I can hardly wait. Are you like that?
In our text are some great words. One of them is “believe“. The root word for believe here is able. The setting is pulsating with drama. Here is two desperate men seeking for an answer. Another great word pops out of their mouth. The word “mercy“. Jesus says according to your faith be it unto you. What a great word. The word “faith“.
The question and the answer go hand in hand. We must not divorce the one from the other. For God to do anything for us there must be faith present. Someone’s faith will be honored. The measure of your faith must be based upon His ability. The obvious answer is that God can and will do anything. Just for a moment let’s be specific.
1. He is able to save to the uttermost.
Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefor, he is able also to save them to the unttermost that come into God by him.”
The Greek word for “able” is dunamai. We get our word dynamite from this word. It is power and a powerful God is able to save. The writer here is not speaking of universal Salvation for he qualifies it. It says, “that come unto God by him.” They must come. There is a beautiful declaration of faith used in Evangelism Explosion that if anyone comes to Christ he must trust Christ alone for salvation. A name for Jesus is Saviour, which means “one who saves.” The sense in the Hebrew 7:25 means that Christ is able too completely save.
We should never say:
* I’m thinking about getting saved.
* I am learning toward getting saved.
* I am being saved.
* I will be saved.
Christ is the only One that can save. The big “I” can do nothing when it comes to salvation.
2. He is able to supply our needs.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” God can supply our needs and not our wants. It all depends on our faith. The power that worketh in us. Our God can do far more than we ever could desire or ask. We must convince ourselves of His ability to do so. Have you asked? What a great privilege just to ask. Jesus said ask in my name that your joys may be full.
The veil in the temple has been rent and we have access into His presence.
* exceeding - very highly more.
* abundantly - out of measure and more.
* Above all that we ask or think-beyond our words or thots.
Jesus gave some wonderful truths concerning our needs. Luke 12:22-31. He mentions what you shall eat, what you shall wear and life in general. He sums it up this way, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these shall be added unto you.” We have a wonderful and caring God. He able to supply all of needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
3. God is able to heal our bodies.
“But he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our inquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
“By whose stripes ye were healed.” I Peter 2:24.
Both of these men were healed. It was their faith that made them whole. v.29. The healing was the results of Jesus’ mercy. v.27. Their earnest plea was heard by the One person who could do something about their condition. In fact they received much more than what they asked for.
Your eyes may not be blind but whatever your illness we have a healing Jesus. Ask Him to today to touch you in your body. Believe and receive. He will touch you by His Spirit.
In the case of the women with the issue of blood who suffered for 12 years she touched Jesus on the hem of His garment. v.20. In the case of the blind men Jesus touched them. V.30 Their eyes were opened. Psalms 107:20 tells us that God sent His Word and healed them. “All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9:23.
4. God is able to keep us until we stand glorified in His presence.
Jude 24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”
Here is where our emphasis shifts. Not only will our faith see us through but it His faithfulness that will keep us. He that has begun a good work in you will not rest until He hath completed it. There is hope for us all for He is able.
John 14:1-3. “let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if a I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
I Corinthians 15:52. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.“
I Corinthians 15:57. “But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” No matter what comes our way...”We win!”
