Matthew
8:14-15; Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:29-39; Luke 4:38-44[1]
When
the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases
brought them to Him; And the whole city was
gathered together at the door. He laid His hands on every one of them
and healed them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the
prophet, saying: “He Himself took
our infirmities and bore our
sicknesses.”[2]
And demons also came
out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And
He, rebuking them, did not
allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
Now
in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and
departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When
they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
But
He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also,
because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their
synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
Then
His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who
were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were
demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great
multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
A
Little Background
In
New Testament times, day and night was reckoned at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. So
the Sabbath began at sundown on Friday through sundown Saturday. Likewise, when
Scripture references the third hour of the day, for example, it means 9:00
a.m., not 3:00 a.m.
Some
Explanation
According
to Jewish law, any kind of healing was forbidden on the Sabbath (it was
considered work). So the people waited until nightfall. Since “the whole city”
came to Jesus’ door with all kinds of sicknesses and afflictions, Jesus would
have been actively ministering late into the night. Still, he arose while it
was still dark to get alone to pray.
Observations
and Insights
Earlier when Jesus was at the synagogue, a man with a demonic (unclean) spirit called
out to Him, “I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and
told him to be silent, and then cast him out.
Many
years ago in some factions of the church, deliverance ministry was a hot trend.
Books were written and classes taught on how to cast out demonic spirits. It
seemed that a spirit was behind every sin and character flaw. These teachings
were derived by those who had learned important information about the spiritual
world by engaging with these demons.
Unlike
modern spiritual warfare, Jesus did not allow the demons to speak “for they knew that He was the Christ”.
First, I find it interesting that although the Jews didn’t recognize their Messiah,
the demons certainly knew who He was. Secondly, James 2:19 tells us about demons,
“You believe that there is one God. You
do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” Demons most surely believe
in God—for they followed their leader, Lucifer, and were cast out of Heaven by
God Himself! Yet, their belief is obviously not one of faith unto worship. Jesus
did not allow the demons to speak because demons are lying spirits. He did not
need their testimony about Him, nor their dramatic showmanship.
A
common complaint about some Bible teaching is that it needs to be relevant. So,
at the risk of beating a dead horse I want to make a relevant point. Recently a
television series and a movie on the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ have been
promoted even by Christian ministries as being a valuable tool for witnessing.
Many Christians argue that it is good, clean programing, and that it can get
people talking and interested in reading the Bible. Since the producer of the film is an avowed
New Ager, I wonder, based on this Scripture, if Jesus would agree?
This
incident also reminds me of a time when the apostle Paul was in Philippi[3].
As he and Silas ministered, a servant girl followed them proclaiming, “These men are the servants of the Most High
God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” For a few days, they ignored
her. Her words, in and of themselves,
were certainly true, but she was possessed by a demonic spirit. Paul was right
to cast out the spirit. Why?—Because Satan is the father of lies. He never has,
nor never shall be a source for truth, and most assuredly, anything that comes
from the kingdom of darkness will be twisted and lead followers away
from the true Lord Jesus Christ, not to Him. Even logically, it can
be no other way.
Deliverance
was certainly a part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. I have no doubt that demonic
activity is just as prevalent today as it was in Jesus’ day. It is not the
scope of this blog to expound on exorcism/deliverance ministry, or the
difference between demonic possession or oppression and how it relates to
Christians. I do know that I can give Satan a foothold or place to act in my
life by my anger (Ephesians 4:29). And we are not to fellowship with the works
of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is a shame even to speak of them.
(Eph. 5:11-14—Would this also apply to popular fiction and entertainment?) I
also know that when it comes to supposed demonic activity, I’ve seen a lot of hullabaloo.
Regardless
of any popular teaching on this issue, Jesus clearly did not allow demons to
have any limelight. Jesus Himself is the Truth. And the truth is that according
to Colossians 1:13-23, I am delivered out of the kingdom of darkness into the
kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ when I receive His redemption and forgiveness
of sins through His blood atonement on the cross. That is the message of hope.
That is the central message of the Kingdom.
Next: Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45: Luke 5:12-16
Next: Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45: Luke 5:12-16
[1]
Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.
[2]
Isaiah
53:4
[3]
Acts
16:16-18
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