The Demons Proclaim

00:00:00 Speaker 1: That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth. Philippians two ten. Mighty God, we praise you for the power and authority in the name of Jesus, that his name darkness bows and trembles, and every force of evil is silenced. We declare that no name is greater than the name of Jesus. Then we humble ourselves before you, surrendering our pride and self reliance. Break the chains that bind us, and let every knee bow, every heart confess that Jesus is Lord. Help us live boldly in this truth, proclaiming his name over every challenge, fear, and stronghold. Fill us with courage to shine his light, knowing that his name alone has the power to save, heal, and bring peace. In Jesus Mighty Name, we pray, Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast. Gospel inspired stories told to awaken your imagination and inspire your faith. This season, we are showcasing jesus encounters with and power over demons. Has this podcast given you hope? We love it. If you rated, reviewed and shared it with a friend, Thanks for making the mission possible. Me Rob raced around the room, pulling spices from the rack and sprinkling them into various pots and bulls. She moved with the elegance of her younger days. Jesus healing touch had not only cured her of her illness, it had revitalized her very soul. After the meal, Jesus and the disc disciples helped me Rob tidy up the kitchen. The disciples cherished moments like these. They were small snippets of the life they had left behind, a beautiful reminder that though Jesus called them to leave their old lives behind to follow him, he wasn't calling them to cast aside everything or every one they loved. He was calling them to view their lives from the perspective of God, seeing how all of it could be used for his glory. 00:02:31 Speaker 2: Merap that was absolutely wonderful. I haven't had a meal as fine as that since I last saw my own mother. You're a true gift to this world. 00:02:42 Speaker 1: The confident woman blushed at jesus endearing words. After all her guests had finished their food, Simon's mother in law sat down and rested her eyes for the first time since her healing, She allowed herself to settle into a chair to relax. With bellies full. All the rest of the disciples looked for seats around the room. They each slunk down into their own seats to enjoy one another's company. Simon and Mariam were the last into the room. Simon stood in the doorway, awkwardly shifting his feet. He had been holding on to a question since earlier in the day. 00:03:22 Speaker 3: Jesus, Yes, Simon, earlier today, when you cast up this spear it from the man in the synagogue, you told him to be quiet. 00:03:33 Speaker 4: Why exactly did you do that? 00:03:35 Speaker 1: Jesus pursed his lips as he thought about the answer. He folded his hands into his lap and leaned forward. 00:03:43 Speaker 2: Ah, I was wondering if any of you got that. The answer is quite simple. You see, I have personally invited each of you to share your life with me, and in return, I gladly share mine with you. My hope is that with each passing day you'll better understand who I am and why I've come. And it's not some measly demon who should be teaching you these things. In truth, the world is not quite ready for what I have to say about my coming. 00:04:15 Speaker 4: And if I may be so bold as to ask, what aren't they ready for? 00:04:22 Speaker 2: If it was time for you to know, I might as well let the demon continue to speak. But as for now, just remember the words of the Father at my baptism. 00:04:32 Speaker 1: Though he wasn't at the Jordan when John plunged Jesus into the waters, Simon had heard the story countless times. Jesus was the son of the Father who delighted in him. Simon contemplated his teacher's answer. When a knock came from the door. Miriam pulled herself from Simon's arms. 00:04:53 Speaker 2: I wonder who that could be at this hour. You weren't expecting any more guests, were you. 00:04:58 Speaker 1: Miriam posed the question as much hospitality as she could, though she had to admit that she was already feeling a little overwhelmed with a small crowd in her home. 00:05:08 Speaker 2: Hmmm, expected, yes, invited no, But nevertheless, let's see who can be. 00:05:16 Speaker 1: Jesus rose to his feet and walked to the door. He opened it nonchalantly and was greeted by a few dozen faces. 00:05:24 Speaker 2: It's him, the one from the synagogue. Please, Lord, my wife, she's ill. Perhaps you could help her. 00:05:32 Speaker 1: Another voice called out from behind the man. 00:05:35 Speaker 2: My child has been caught with a fever for two days. Now, there's no time to waste. Please take pity on her. 00:05:42 Speaker 1: Before Jesus could answer, Simon pressed himself against Jesus's shoulder and whispered in his ear. 00:05:48 Speaker 4: I'm so sorry, Rabbi. I don't know how they found out you were here, but if he pleases, you'll ask to leave. 00:05:55 Speaker 1: Jesus waved his hand at Simon and softly patted him on the back. 00:06:00 Speaker 2: As I told Miriam, I was expecting such a visit, but it seems we've already put your wife and mother in law through enough for to day. Grab the others and we'll assist the crowd outside. 00:06:11 Speaker 1: Simon turned and rounded up the other disciples. They stepped outside into the orange glow of the early evening. The crowd was bigger than Simon had realized. Over a hundred people had gathered outside his home in search of the miracle worker. His worried face was shared by the other disciples. Jesus smiled at them with compassion. He knew the sight was overwhelming to them, but he was ready to see lives changed and was eager to include the disciples. He instructed them to help the people form lines. The Twelve Men drove the anxious gathering into neat groups before Jesus. Already they were seeing how Jesus was able to bring some warder to the madness. 00:07:04 Speaker 4: It's not enough to proclaim who Jesus is. Even the demons are able to recognize him as the son of God. We must match our proclamation with devotion, and our knowledge of who he is with a passion for his mission. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. I'm ethanwi pray dot com here to guide you through another October episode about Jesus and demons. Today, we're exploring a fascinating story taken from Luke, chapter four, verses forty through forty four. Picture the scene. The sun is setting, marking the end of the Sabbath. People are streaming out of their homes to meet a man who's turning their world upside down, Jesus of Nazareth. As they gather, something remarkable happens. Jesus is healing the sick left and right. But there's an even more dramatic subplot unfolding. Demons are coming out of many shouting you are the Christ. The Son of God. Now that's not your everyday church service, is it. 00:08:06 Speaker 1: One by one Jesus performed signs and miracles for the people's benefit. Men, women, children from all different walks of life were being healed by the touch of their creator. The blind received their sight, the sick were made well, and the lame were walking with childlike strength. It was all too much for the disciples. They were stricken with awe at the ease with which Jesus poured out the power of God. They could only dream of doing what he did. But their joy quickly turned to panic when a small band of men pressed through the crowds, dragging several others tied in works through the dirt. The restrained individuals yanked at the makeshift leashes, Scowling. 00:08:55 Speaker 4: At the people around them. 00:08:57 Speaker 1: They dug their fingers into the dirt and greamed viciously at the top of their lungs. The crowd fumbled back in terror. The men who had brought them hold with all their strength against the wild savages. The ropes that were wound around their hands dug deep into their flesh, but they refused to let go lest the crowd face there crazed captives Jesus immediately knew what ailed them. Each man was possessed by a demon. He eyed them carefully as they made their way to him. Once near enough, one of the demon possessed men lunged at Jesus, but Jesus didn't move so much as a muscle. But his faith wasn't in the ropes. It was in a power far greater. The man nearest to Jesus was sprawled out on all fours like a beast of the field. His eyes were red, matching the dried blood spattered about his clothing. 00:09:58 Speaker 3: Yell, a nast, leave us they we haven't come for you, son of silence. 00:10:06 Speaker 1: Jesus's thunderous voice startled the people nearly as much as the wild men, if they were all amazed. When the men tied to the ropes immediately and fell silent, the gentle healer had quickly become a successful commander against these evil spirits. The demon possessed men's faces raged with intense anchor, but their mouths remained shut, sealed tight by the command of Jesus. The men who had brought the possessed struggled at the end of the ropes. 00:10:39 Speaker 2: Please free these men from the evil within them. 00:10:44 Speaker 4: We beg you. 00:10:45 Speaker 1: They're desperate pleas were barely audible over their laborious groans. Without wasting another second, Jesus cried out with a loud. 00:10:54 Speaker 2: Voice, come out of them. 00:10:57 Speaker 1: With a wave of his hand, the men tied to the ropes fell to the ground. Each one of them shot a grayish light. They hovered over the limp bodies below. 00:11:08 Speaker 4: We well you are, You are the son of God. 00:11:13 Speaker 2: You shall not speak of this. Begone. 00:11:16 Speaker 1: With another wave of his hand, the lights cascaded into the sky with all of their clamoring. Most of the people gathered hadn't heard what the demon had said, but Simon slowly turned his eyes to Jesus. He mouthed the words to himself, the son of God. Simon was beginning to piece Jesus' identity together, though there were still gaps in his understanding. He knew that Jesus wasn't simply sent from God. He was the Lord's anointed. But if Jesus didn't want the demons to speak of such things, perhaps he didn't want Simon to either. The disciple held the words close to his eyes, allowing them to find fertile soil. He trusted that one day it would bear good fruit. Early the next morning, Jesus found a quiet spot by the Sea of Galilee. He rhythmically prayed in tandem with the waves, but his solitude was interrupted by some of the people in the city, who desperately wanted him to stay. Jesus was moved with affection for those who came with adoration, but he knew the work his father had sent him to accomplish was far from lor. The good news of the Kingdom of God was to be proclaimed far And why. 00:12:45 Speaker 4: Isn't it intriguing that the demons recognized Jesus's identity before many people do. They declare him as the Christ, the Son of God. Even the forces of darkness can't help but acknowledge his authority. Yet Jesus rebukes them and doesn't allow them to speak. Why Because he doesn't need or want a testimonial from the enemy. He chooses to reveal himself on his own terms. By silencing the demons, Jesus demonstrates his supreme authority over evil. He doesn't engage in a dialogue or negotiate terms. He commands and they obey. It's a powerful reminder that while evil may have a voice, it doesn't have the final word. Now, before you start checking under your pews, let's bring this into our context. While many of us might not encounter demonic manifestations as in Jesus's time, we all face demons, struggles, fears, addictions, or negative thoughts that haunt us. These are the shadows that try to speak lies into our lives, telling us we're not good enough, that will never change, or that hope is lost. The good news is that Jesus's authority over darkness isn't at storical footnote. It's a present reality. Just as he silenced the demons, then he can silence the oppressive voices in our lives today. But here's the catch. We have to bring these struggles to him. We have to bring these struggles to him. Notice that Jesus laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. He could have performed a mass miracle with a single word, but he chose personal interaction. Our savior is into personal relationships, not impersonal transactions. He meets us individually, right where we are. As the crowd sought to keep Jesus from leaving, he said, I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities. Also because for this purpose I've been sent. Jesus is on a mission, a mission that includes us, but isn't limited to us. He's inviting us to step out of the shadows and into his marvelous light. So what's the demon you're wrestling with? May be it's fear, doubt, or something more tangible. Whatever it is, remember that Jesus has the authority to silence it. Let's not let the shadows speak louder than the Savior.