Everything is possible for him who believes. 

Mark 9:23

My grandmother’s false teeth clicked as she read The Little Engine Who Could*. The accomplishment of that little engine cresting the top of the hill provided my first lesson on the power of positive thinking.

Jesus had a different lesson, though, when He said, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mk. 9:23 NIV). Jesus had just returned with three disciples from an extraordinary event on a nearby mountain—a lengthy visit with Moses and Elijah that we now refer to as the Transfiguration. He arrived to discover a heated argument among a crowd gathered around the other disciples.

Imagine Jesus having to raise his voice to be heard when he asked, “What are you arguing with them about? A man in the crowd explained that his son was possessed by a spirit that robbed him of speech, threw him to the ground, and caused him to foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth and become rigid. Even worse, the disciples had not been able to help the boy.

The whole scene was quite a contrast from Jesus’ mountain-top experience. Hear the exasperation and disappointment in his words, “O unbelieving generation…how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me” (v. 19 NIV). 

Imagine the desperation of the father, especially now that that his son has created such an uproar. He asked Jesus, “…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus responded, “If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes” (v. 23 NIV). 

Jesus spoke of belief in who He was and in His unlimited power as God’s Son, the promised Messiah. That’s something very different from the power- of-positive-thinking. It’s believing in God’s power and His capabilities. 

I imagine a faith-based edition of The Little Engine that Could would include trusting God to help him make it up the hill. Perhaps I’ll retrieve a copy of that famous Little Golden Book and actually have that theological conversation with my granddaughter. When I do, though, I’ll be thankful she won’t be distracted by the click of false teeth!   

Linda Lesniewski

*The Little Engine that Could, (Little Golden Book)