King of Demons

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand Matthew twelve twenty five. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your wisdom and the truth of your word. You remind us in Matthew twelve twenty five that a house divided cannot stand. Lord. We see how darkness undermines itself, brings chaos and confusion, but we know that in your light, darkness has no power over us. Unite our hearts, O, God, to stand firm in your truth. Remove any division among us, and fill us with your peace and love. Strengthen us to walk in your light, bound together by your holy spirit. Help us to be agents of unity and stability, reflecting your glory in all we do. May our lives shine so brightly that darkness cannot prevail, and your kingdom is revealed through us. In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, Gospel inspired stories told with a cinematic touch and heartfelt reflection. Remain here for another story on Jesus and Demons, and as always, make sure to follow this podcast and share it with a friend. Jesus Sat atop a grassy hill rising over the plains of Galilee. From the distance, he could hear the soft pulse of waves pressing and pulling against the rocky shores. He had been driven here to find safety from the Pharisees. Jesus knew than in the depths of their hearts they were plotting to kill him, but he trusted in his father, which allowed him to enjoy the time away from the masses. The rest of the disciples had gone off to scrounge up food for the night, leaving Jesus alone, but Jesus didn't seem to mind one bit. He welcomed the view as he used this time to recharge. Hundreds of people would come to marvel at jesus miracles day after day, wondering what it would be like to wield such power, but Jesus never wondered what life for them was like. He had taken on humanity in its entirety, and just as they did. He grew tired at the end of a long day's work. As Jesus watched the first few stars break through the darkening sky, he heard the disciples merely making their way to the camp. 00:03:00 Speaker 2: A shalloon shallon Jesus, we hope you haven't been lonely while we were away. 00:03:05 Speaker 1: Jesus's eyes stayed fixed on the stars. He knew every inch of each one. 00:03:12 Speaker 3: Oh, no, I've had the greatest company. 00:03:15 Speaker 1: Ah. 00:03:16 Speaker 2: That's good to hear. You seem to have something on your mind. He's everything, all right, yes, perfectly, all right. 00:03:25 Speaker 3: I was just thinking about how much I appreciate each and every one of you. 00:03:29 Speaker 2: I know the days can. 00:03:30 Speaker 3: Be long, but it's nice that we can get through them together. 00:03:34 Speaker 1: Jesus motioned to the disciples to come join him. They enjoyed the quiet evening together before heading off to their beds underneath the stars. To night would be one of deep sleep and much needed rest, because it wasn't long before the crowds found Jesus once again. 00:03:57 Speaker 2: We often hate what we don't understand, and we surely hate what presses up against our pride. As followers of Christ, we must lean into understanding his character and releasing our pride. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. Welcome to another episode showcasing Christ's power and authority over demons. Today we'll hear a new nickname for Jesus, King of Demons. We're delving into a story that's as intriguing as it is challenging. It's inspired by Matthew Chapter twelve, verses twenty two through forty two, a narrative filled with miracles, accusations, and a rather serious warning about the unforgivable sin. So buckle up, we're in for an enlightening ride. 00:04:47 Speaker 1: The next day, a large group of people had made their way to Jesus and the disciples little Hilltop camp. They had brought with them those who were ill. The gathering was filled with the moans of those with broken limbs, the small whimpers of children burning up with fevers, and the steady murmuring of every one awaiting the miracles of Jesus. One by one, Jesus healed them all, giving each one intimate care and attention. He would pray with them and ask questions to learn more about their life. The great physician wasn't focused on getting patients in now. He endeavored to make a deep connection with each one, hoping to see their physical healing open the door to a desire for their spiritual healing. After healing the last of the sick, Jesus urged the people to remain silent, about him, what he had done, and where they had found him. Jesus made his humble request, but he knew their obedience would never last for long. Early the next morning, the crowd returned with more sick. Jesus had instructed the crowds to remain silent, but had fully expected that they wouldn't be able to keep themselves away for long. Jesus wasted no time. With the help of the disciples, he worked his way through the crowds and healed each and every one of them. Of course, the Pharisees had caught wind of Jesus whereabouts and found it necessary to follow along. They remained close by, keeping close watch from a distance and making commentary on every move he made. Their constant questioning was like gnats on a humid day, but Jesus wouldn't allow their resentfulness to stop him from pouring out his love on the people. Just as Jesus was about to depart from them, he heard a scream come from into the crowd. 00:07:00 Speaker 2: Show me who cries out among you? 00:07:03 Speaker 1: Like Moses parting the Red sea. The crowd split in two at jesus command. In the middle of the opening, Jesus could see a blind and mute man groaning and grunting on the floor. Dust churned up as he writhed in pain. There was no doubt the man was possessed by a demon. The crowd was stepping back in fear. However, Jesus moved forward. Each step towards the demon was deliberate. The disciples watched as the demon itself seemed afraid of Jesus. Jesus could sense the fear and pain this man was enduring. Although the man was blind and mute, the demon was not. He saw Jesus then knew exactly who he was up against. He sprang to his feet and tried to retreat. Few men cried for someone to catch the possessed man, but everyone seemed frozen with fear. The demon fled toward the disciples, flailing his limbs about madly. Peter and John were the first to come to their senses. They steadied their feet and grabbed the man by his tunic. Before he could make his way past them. The demon fell to the ground and pulled against them. The disciple strained, nearly tearing the man's clothes. Just as the cloth was about to tear, a command poured out of the mouth. 00:08:33 Speaker 2: Of Jesus get out of him. 00:08:36 Speaker 1: The man arched his back off the ground as his chest rattled. He let out a loud gasp before returning flat to the ground. The people stared in shock. The entire hilltop was silent. The demon was gone. Jesus turned the man on his back and touched his mouth and eyes with the pad of his fingers. Then, in a moment of complete tenderness, the man opened his eyes like a new born babe. Blinding white light filled his vision. He rubbed his face and opened his eyes again. This time he saw Jesus, silhouetted against the morning light. Jesus extended out his hand, helping the man to his feet. The man ran his fingers along his throat and swallowed. His jaw quivered as he opened his mouth to speak. No one could deny that Jesus had done the unthinkable. But how Someone in the crowd sputtered out a. 00:09:50 Speaker 3: Question, Could this be the son of David? 00:09:54 Speaker 1: The words made their way through the spirited crowd and into the ears. They irked pharisees, their faces stretched out into sullen frowns. Their opinions of Jesus were much different from the crowds, and they were more than willing to answer the question. 00:10:13 Speaker 4: He is the prince of demons. How else can he command demons with such confidence? 00:10:20 Speaker 2: He must be their ruler. 00:10:22 Speaker 1: Jesus turned to the man who had been possessed and pointed him in the direction of the disciples. They led him off to tend to him. As Jesus turned back to the Pharisees, he could hear their thoughts. He knew they weren't actually sure where Jesus had come from or with whose power he had cast out demons. In the depths of their minds, he could sense their utter fear for the man who commanded the evil spirits that they could not. Rather than consider themselves inferior in some way, they resorted to attributing Jesus power to the one source they would never associate with themselves. Unable to allow such an accusation to go undefended, Jesus raised his finger and pointed it at the Pharisees. 00:11:16 Speaker 3: Kingdom divided against itself will fall to ruin. Every city and household divided against itself cannot hope to stand. Therefore, if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. Tell me then, how his kingdom could stand. I am not the first to drive out such spirits. Your own people have done it before, Yet now you. 00:11:40 Speaker 1: Claim I do so. 00:11:41 Speaker 3: By Beelzebub, you are greatly mistaken. 00:11:45 Speaker 2: What you see here is by the spirit of God. 00:11:50 Speaker 1: The Pharisees scoffed and dismissed him, as was expected. For all the questions they loved to ask Jesus and the remarks they made against him, they never bothered to actually listen to his answers. They only waited for him to finish speaking so they could make their rebuttals. However, Jesus would not let the point go on, said. He continued speaking, this time addressing the whole crowd. 00:12:19 Speaker 3: Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters every sin. Every sin will be forgiven if you ask, but hear me and listen. Whoever blasphemes and rejects the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, not in this age nor the age to come. 00:12:45 Speaker 1: The crowd was disturbed. The thought of every sin being forgiven was unthinkable. Even the best and most moral among them held secret faults and invisible scars. But what caught them off guard. Was hearing Jesus say for the first time that something was beyond repentance, a terrible thought that left them utterly afraid. The only ones who seemed unaffected by jesus proclamations were the Pharisees. Their pride shielded their hearts from being pierced with the truth of the Rabbi's words, and as usual, they had their own thoughts to share. 00:13:28 Speaker 4: Teacher, if you have such power and authority as you said, show us a sign, then prove yourself for the sake. 00:13:38 Speaker 2: Of their thing. 00:13:39 Speaker 4: Call on fire like Elijah obtained the wild, like. 00:13:44 Speaker 1: Elisha, A smug smile stretched across his face as he waited to see how Jesus would respond. Jesus shook his head in disappointment. Once again, his words fell on deaf ears and hearts of storm. He desperately wanted them to understand, but he knew they would remain unchanged. He let out a heavy sigh of grief in frustration. 00:14:12 Speaker 3: Ah, Yes, another evil, a dodgrous generation. Asks for God to prove himself as if he's the one who needs your approval. Let me tell you the sign you should be looking for, just as Jonah rotted in the belly of an underwater beast for three days and three nights. So will the Son of Man be deep within the belly of the earth for three days and three nights before rising. 00:14:39 Speaker 1: Jesus paced back and forth as he taught. Every set of eyes followed him. He stroked his beard and paused a question. 00:14:48 Speaker 3: Isn't it interesting how those who had been condemned as wicked were the ones to repent at the end of that story. 00:14:54 Speaker 1: The image of Jonah being swallowed up by the fish for three days was yet another shadow of the Gospel placed in scripture. It was a foreshadowing of things to come, and an image of Christ's ultimate defeat over the grave. He would descend into the belly of the earth and rise on the third day. The crowds, the disciples, and the Pharisees did not understand, but they soon would, as for now Jesus would allow them to stew in their own hatred and bitterness. The Pharisees broke away from the gathering and flew off like a murder of crows, with their black robes rippling behind them. The people pressed in around Jesus. The disciples returned with the man who had been set free from the demon's possession. In mere minutes, he looked like an entirely new man. Color had returned to his face, which now wore a warm, pleasant smile. He made eye contact with Jesus. He nodded a thanks to the man who had saved his life, and now he would stand with the rest of the crowd and listen to the teacher's words who hope to save their souls. 00:16:20 Speaker 2: Picture this scene. Jesus heals a man whose demon possessed blind and mute in one fell swoop. The man speaks and sees The crowd is astonished, murmuring could this be the son of David? A translation, is this the Messiah we're waiting for? But before the Hallelujahs can ring out, the Pharisees reign on the parade sneering. He casts out demons by beels above. The ruler of the demons talk about missing the forest for the trees. Here's a man liberating people from darkness, and the religious elite accuse him of being in league with Satan. It's like accusing a firefighter of arson because he's always at the scene of the blaze. Jesus knowing their thoughts because he's Jesus and that's what he does. Responds with impeccable logic. Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. In other words, why would Satan undermine his own operation? If evil starts casting out evil, it's essentially self destructing. He adds a zinger, and if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Ouch? Jesus points out their hypocrisy. Their own followers practiced exorcism, so are they accusing their people of the same collusion. Then Jesus drops this gem. How can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man. He's illustrating his authority over Satan. Jesus isn't just a rival strong man. He's the one who binds Satan and liberates those held captive. It's a cosmic jailbreak. Now here's where against heavy. Jesus warns against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, a sin that will not be forgiven. Many have worried about accidentally committing this unforgivable sin, but let's unpack it. The Pharisees witnessed undeniable evidence of the Holy Spirit's work through Jesus, yet they attributed this work to Satan. Their hearts were so hardened that they couldn't distinguish divine goodness from evil. The unforgivable sin isn't a slip of the tongue. It's a persistent, unrepentant heart that continually rejects the Holy Spirit's testimony about Jesus. Jesus emphasizes, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Our words are barometers of our inner spiritual condition. The Pharisees blasphemy, revealed hearts corroded by jealousy and pride. He warns that we'll give an account for every idle word on the day of judgment. It's like a spiritual audit of our speed. Are our words building up or tearing down? Are we speaking life or spreading poison? The Pharisees then have the audacity to ask for a sign. Jesus responds, an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. He points to his future resurrection, the ultimate sign, so what does this mean for us? First, we must be able to recognize goodness. Let's not be like the Pharisees, so blinded by our preconceptions that we call good evil and evil good. Next, let's guard our hearts. Since our words reflect our hearts. Let's fill our hearts with God's truth so that what overflows is uplifting and truthful. Third, acknowledge Jesus' authority. Jesus isn't just a miracle worker. He's the one who binds the strong man. Whatever demons you're facing, be it addiction, fear, or doubt, Jesus has authority over all of them. Jesus said, he who is not with me is against me. There's no neutral ground. The Pharisees made their choice, and it led them down a path of spiritual blindness. Let's choose wisely. Let's open our eyes to the work of God around us, a tribute glory where it's due, and join Jesus in his mission to liberate and heal. Remember calling a fire fire, Remember calling a fire fighter an arsonist doesn't stop the fire, It just keeps you trapped in a burning house. Let's recognize our rescuer and embrace the freedom he offers