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| Healing a Blind and Muted Demonic |
By:
Paul George |
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Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14
The demon-possessed man that was brought to Jesus could neither see to help himself, nor speak to others to help him. He is an example of a soul under Satan's power, and led captive by him. Satan blinds the eye of faith, and seals up the lips of prayer.
In the account of the healing of this man there is no dialogue between Jesus, the man, or demon recorded. All we are told is the man was brought to Jesus and Jesus healed. The cause of the man’s blindness and inability to speak was removed and the man was able to see and speak. The lesson taught in this miracle is, Jesus’ mercy is directly opposite to Satan's malice; His favors, to the devil's mischief. When Satan's power is broken in the soul, the eyes are opened to see God's glory, and the lips opened to speak his praise.
In the account of the miracle we find three responses, first the response of the blind and mute demonic, he “spoke and saw” (Matthew 12:22).
Second, the response of the people, they were amazed and “were saying, ‘this man cannot be the Son of David, can he?’” They asked a good question. What they did not realize the answer to the question was the miracle they witnessed.
Third, the response of the Pharisees, the enemies of Jesus and His doctrine; when they heard the question the people were asking they were extremely irritated, more at that than at the miracle itself; this made them apprehensive, that as Jesus’ esteem increased, theirs would diminish. Note, those who seek their happiness in the praise and applause of men, the favorable words that they hear said of any other is not good news. The Pharisees desired the praise that Jesus did not seek. In an attempt to discredit Jesus the Pharisees said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebub the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24).
The Pharisees could not deny the miracle, nor could they deny that it was an extraordinary thing, and supernatural. They had no other way to avoid the conclusion, that Jesus is the Son of David, except suggest Jesus cast out demons by Beelzebub. What the Pharisees were suggesting is, there was some sort of agreement between Jesus and Satan. Therefore, Jesus did not cast out the demon; it voluntarily departed from the man. Nothing could be more false and vile than this; that He, who is Truth itself, should be in any sort of contract with the father of lies, to cheat the world.
In verses 25-30 we have Jesus’ response to the charge made by the Pharisees; first, note, Jesus knew the thoughts of the Pharisees (Matthew 12:25). This is something we need to be aware, Jesus Christ knows what we are thinking at any time, knows what is in man. The Pharisees did not make a public charge against Jesus. They knew they could not answer the people’s question with the charge.
In Jesus’ response, there are three arguments by which Jesus demonstrates the unreasonableness of the suggestion, He casts out demons only by Beelzebub; first, Satan’s kingdom would be divided against itself ( Matthew 12:25-26). Here is a reference to common knowledge. In all societies and families the consequence destruction and broken relationships is mutual quarrels. What Jesus wants the Pharisees to understand, divisions commonly end in desolations; if we clash, we break; if we divide one from another, we become an easy prey to a common enemy. Churches and nations have known this by sad experience.
If there is conflict between Satan and the princes of his kingdom the whole kingdom is destroyed. The purpose of Jesus’ preaching and miracles was to overthrow the kingdom of Satan, as a kingdom of darkness, wickedness, and enmity to God; and to set up, upon the ruins of it, a kingdom of light, holiness, and love. The works of Satan, as a rebel against God, and a tyrant over the souls of men, were destroyed by Christ; and therefore it was the most absurd thing imaginable, to think that Beelzebub had any part in the healing of the blind and mute man. If he had any part in the healing of the blind and mute man he would himself contribute to the overthrow of the kingdom of Satan.
Note: Satan has a kingdom that opposes the kingdom of God. Lord Jesus will destroy the kingdom of Satan, but He does not need any help from Beelzebub; no, this victory must be obtained by nobler methods. Let the prince of the demonic forces muster up all his forces, let him make use of all his powers and politics, yet Lord Jesus will be more powerful than Satan’s united force, and his kingdom shall not stand.
Jesus’ second argument is in the form of a question, “by whom do your sons cast them down?” (Matthew 12:27). There were those among the Jews who did cast out demons. The Pharisees did not condemn them, but claimed what they did they did by the Spirit of God. It was therefore merely from spite and envy that they would own that others cast out demons by the Spirit of God, but suggest that Jesus did it by Beelzebub. Note, the persecutors of Christ and Christianity condemn the same thing in those they hate, which they approve of and applaud in those they love for: the judgments of envy are made, not by things, but persons; not by reason, but prejudice.
The casting out of the demon was an indication of the approach and appearance of the kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28). Other miracles that Jesus performed proved Him sent of God, but this miracle proved Him sent of God to destroy Satan’s kingdom, his demonic force, and works; the Spirit of God; that Spirit who works to the obedience of faith and overthrows the spirit who works in the children of unbelief and disobedience. The casting out of demons is an introduction to the coming of the kingdom of God. If Satan’s interest in a soul is not only checked by external restraints, but also broken by the Spirit of God, as a Sanctifier, no doubt the kingdom of God is come to that soul.
The comparing of the miracles of Jesus, particularly the casting out of demons, with His doctrine is evidence that He was not in league with Satan, that He was at open enmity and hostility against him (Matthew 12:29). The world, that sat in darkness, and lay in wickedness, was in Satan's possession, and under his power, as a house in the possession and under the power of a strong man; so is every unregenerate soul; there Satan resides, there he rules. The goal of Jesus ministry was to spoil Satan’s house, which, as a strong man, turn the people from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, from the power of Satan unto God. Pursuant to this, He bound the strong man, when He cast out the demon.
Jesus’ third argument, we must be entirely, faithfully, and immovably, on Christ's side (Matthew 12:30). Christ's purpose in coming into the world was to gather, to gather in His harvest. Christ expects and requires from those who are with Him, that they gather with Him; that they not only gather to Him themselves, but do all they can to gather others to Him. Those who will not gather with Him will be looked upon, and dealt with, as hinderers, if we do not gather with Jesus we scatter. |
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