The Mute Demon

00:00:00 Speaker 1: They saw the mute speaking, the injured, healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they glorified the God of Israel Matthew fifteen thirty one. Dear Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of your power to heal and restore. Just as the crowds marveled at the miracles you performed, the mute speaking, the lame walking, the blind seeing. We come to you believing in your power to make us whole. Lord, Heal us from all that weighs us down, whether in body, mind or spirit. Restore us to the fullness of life that you desire for us. Free us from our burdens, that we may live boldly and joyfully as your people, unchained by fear or doubt. Empower us to walk in freedom and glorify you in all we do. In your precious 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 the Power over demons. Does this podcast giving you hope? We love it. If you rated, reviewed and shared it with a friend. Thanks for making the mission possible. Clouds of dust formed in the air. Two men wrestled one another on the ground. One of them growled at a wounded wolf. Trying to claw his way free. He swung his arms, told the man who had him been down. He broke free and rolled over the other and sprang to his feet. He crouched low, ready to pounce. 00:01:59 Speaker 2: Nathan. You must stop this. You're going to hurt. 00:02:02 Speaker 1: Someone, Joshua pleaded with his violent friend, but the cold stare that Nathan gave him only confirmed that his friend was long gone. Whoever stood before him now was barely a man any more. For days, Joshua watched as Nathan slit into madness, slowly losing his grip on reality. The last of all was Nathan's ability to speak. Now, Joshua felt like he was talking to a stone wall. He had done all he could to help Nathan in his deranged state. He had brought him to the priests, hoping that they could free him from the evening, but their incense and prayers only seemed to drive Nathan further into hysteria. Nathan lunged at Joshua, his spiny fingers wrapped around Joshua's neck. Joshua coughed as he vainly attempted to gasp for aer. He flailed sporadically trying to break free, but Nathan's strength, especially under the demon's influence, was too great for Joshua to overcumb. Joshua glanced around desperately as his vision began to fade. He felt his fingers run over a large rock. He firmly grasped it and raised it as high as he could, doing the only thing he could think to do to save himself and possibly Nathan. He swung his arm down as hard as he could. Nathan dropped like a dead weight onto Joshua. Joshua felt the slow breaths of his fallen companion. He pushed him off and dusted himself. He knelt down beside Joshua. 00:03:49 Speaker 2: I'm so sorry, but I'm not giving up on you. 00:03:52 Speaker 1: Joshua mustered up his strength and hoisted Nathan over his shoulder. 00:03:56 Speaker 2: One way or another, I'm going to get your help. 00:04:01 Speaker 3: The enemy wants us to be silent and trapped in our insecurities, but the Gospel requires boldness. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. Gospel inspired stories to awaken our imaginations and inspire our faith. We've been showcasing stories about Jesus and his confrontations with the spiritual forces of darkness. Today we're diving into a story that's both brief and profound. It's inspired by Matthew Chapter nine, verses thirty two through thirty four. At first glance, it might seem like just another healing in Jesus's ministry, but as we peel back the layers, we'll find a powerful message about breaking barriers and the dangers of spiritual blindness. 00:04:46 Speaker 1: Jesus and his disciples began to make their way to the city gates, winding through quaint streets filled with the scent of baking bread and the cheerful laughter of children play. All seemed right the world to the disciples. These were the times they felt like they could relax and simply enjoy Jesus company. 00:05:08 Speaker 3: So, Jesus, where are we off to next? 00:05:11 Speaker 4: We will go where the Lord takes us, But right now, I don't think it's going to be as far as any of us thought. 00:05:18 Speaker 1: Jesus pointed down the street. The man was carrying someone in his arms. His legs trembled under him as he moved. His face was resolutely set on Jesus. A few paces from the group, he laid the man in his arms down. The man on the ground whined and convulsed. 00:05:40 Speaker 2: Eh are you Jesus of Nazareth, the one they called the healer. 00:05:45 Speaker 1: Jesus looked from Joshua down to Nathan. Nathan shook violently as he stared into Jesus's eyes. Joshua swiftly wrapped his arms around Nathan before he was able to move. 00:05:59 Speaker 4: As you say, I am Jesus, praise, I don't I I've been looking for you all day. 00:06:04 Speaker 2: Please, you must help my friend. He is well. I don't know what's wrong. He doesn't need he won't sleep. I don't know what to do. 00:06:15 Speaker 1: Joshua's frantic words trailed off into silent sons. Jesus gently laid his hand on Joshua's shoulder. Joshua looked at Jesus through his tears. 00:06:25 Speaker 4: It's going to be okay, Your friend will be fine. 00:06:29 Speaker 1: Joshua's tears turned to gratitude, trusting in his heart that the words of Jesus were true. Jesus bent down laid a hand on Nathan. At his touch, Nathan squealed, Jesus touch felt like a glowing red branding Eyron. Nathan broke loose from Joshua's grip and pounced at Jesus. Jesus jumped back and was caught by Peter. Nathan let out a scream. Joshua try to hold him back, but Nathan was too fast. He clawed at Joshua, leaving four bloodied scratches across his face. Joshua screamed as he clutched at his face. With all the commotion, several of the villagers cautiously crept out of their homes. Doors slowly opened as the wild man bounced around the street. Mothers held back their children in horror. A few men came out carrying daggers, preparing to do what was necessary to protect their families against the attacker, but Nathan gave them no mind. He was bewitched by Jesus, who appeared untroubled by the demon possessed man. Joshua looked on in despair. 00:07:48 Speaker 2: Nathan, stop this, he said, to help you, to help us. 00:07:53 Speaker 1: Joshua's cry landed on deaf ears. Nathan no longer responded to that name. Jesus pulled Joshua behind him and boldly strode up to Nathan. They locked eyes, anticipating one another's next move. Suddenly, Nathan sprinted at Jesus with full force, but Jesus remained stepfast. He stretched out his hand in front of him. Just as Nathan was about to collide with. 00:08:24 Speaker 4: Him, Jesus shouting begone. 00:08:27 Speaker 1: Nathan's head struck jesus hand like an impenetrable fortress. The Lord didn't move an inch. Nathan, however, flew back several feet and skidded through the dirt. They rolled a few times and then stopped motionless, faced down in the middle of the street. The crowd let out an audible gasp. Joshua pushed past Jesus and ran to Nathan. He flipped his friend over. To his surprise, Nathan was. 00:08:57 Speaker 4: Smiling, thank you for not giving up on me. 00:09:02 Speaker 1: Nathan's voice was raspy, but to Joshua it was the most beautiful sound to his ears. For the first time in days, he heard his friend prasad. 00:09:14 Speaker 2: Den I, oh my soul, you're okay. 00:09:18 Speaker 1: Joshua turned to Jesus. 00:09:20 Speaker 2: And you you are undoubtedly sent from God, for no one could do such you work. If it weren't. 00:09:26 Speaker 1: True, Jesus simply replied with a satisfied smile. Joshua now turned to the onlookers who had stayed in the protection of their doorways. 00:09:37 Speaker 2: Let it be known to everyone here that this man, Jesus of Nazareth has brought healing on this day. 00:09:44 Speaker 1: The crowd began to murmur. Never before had they seen such a spectacle. In their amazement, they poured out into the streets and surrounded Jesus. The disciples did what they could to keep them at bay, but their dermined curiosity was too much for them to hold off. Jesus welcomed the crowd to gather around him. Jesus spent the next few hours answering questions and teaching on the kingdom. But more importantly, he was captivating hearts. Just as he had cast the demon out of Nathan, he was drawing darkness out of each one of their souls and leading them into glorious light. Soon the entire nation would hear of Jesus dance with the demon. For many, the story was received with praise and adoration for the healer of Nazareth, but there were some who found the news to be utterly revolting. A band of Pharisees gathered in the synagogue. They stirred about the quiet room in hushed whispers. Word had spread of jesus exorcisms and was now a concern for the religious leaders, But they knew they must handle the problem with care. Jesus' works were only increasing his popularity among the people. The Pharisees had to make delicate work out of pulling the people back under their influence. 00:11:19 Speaker 5: Another story of this rabbi called Jesus, who does he think he is? 00:11:25 Speaker 4: It doesn't matter who he thinks he is. What matters is what the people think of him. If he continues in this way, all of Israel will fall for his trickery. 00:11:36 Speaker 1: Disgust seeped from their lips as they spoke. A veil covered their hearts, blinding them from the truth of who Jesus was. 00:11:46 Speaker 5: If we holy men of God couldn't cast out such a demon, by no means can he? 00:11:53 Speaker 2: Well, of course there is. 00:11:55 Speaker 4: Jesus of Nazareth does not operate under the name of Adenai. No, his power comes from a much more sinister place. It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons. 00:12:11 Speaker 2: In their pride. 00:12:12 Speaker 1: The Pharisees rejected the notion that Jesus was imbued with the power of God. To them, I only Satan himself could command the demons in such a way. Yet they had forgotten that even the demons were created, and they too must obey when commanded by the authority. 00:12:33 Speaker 4: Of the creator. 00:12:41 Speaker 3: Imagine being unable to speak, trapped in silence your thoughts, imprisoned with no voice to release them. The man brought to Jesus was not only mute, but also demon possessed. In those days, exorcism methods relied heavily on knowing a demon's name, a tricky task if the person couldn't speak, this man was considered a hopeless case, a lost cause. Enter Jesus, without needing the demon's name or any elaborate rituals, he casts out the demon, and the man speaks. Just like that, the impossible becomes possible. The crowd is astonished, saying nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. What's fascinating here is that Jesus bypasses the traditional methods. He doesn't need to trick the demon into revealing its name. His authority transcends human limitations and superstitions. This challenges us to consider, are there traditions or beliefs in our lives that limit what we think God can do do? We sometimes box God in thinking that he must operate within our expectations. While the multitudes marvel, the Pharisees sneer he casts out demons by the ruler of the demons talk about missing the forest for the trees. Instead of celebrating the man's liberation, they attribute gen Jesus's power to evil. This isn't just skepticism, It's a wilful refusal to see God's hand at work. Their reaction warns us about the dangers of spiritual arrogance. When we are so convinced that we are right, we might become blind to the miracles unfolding right before our eyes. Are we open to God's unexpected moves? Or do we, like the Pharisees, dismiss what doesn't fit in our narrative. What are some lessons for today? First, no one is beyond hope. The mute man represents those whose society deems unreachable, yet Jesus reaches him effortlessly. There's no one too far gone, no situation too dire, that Jesus cannot redeem. Second, God breaks our limitations. Traditional methods said this exorcism was impossible. Jesus shows that God isn't confined by our rules. He operates on a divine plane, rendering our limitations obsolete. Third, beware of hard hearts. The pharisees refusal to acknowledge the miracle reveals a heart issue. Let's guard against cynicism that blinds us to God's work. And lastly, let's celebrate victories when they come. The crowd's amazement reminds us to rejoice when we witness transformation. Let's not take miracles big or small, for granted. This passage challenges us to unmute our own faith. Maybe we're not physically silent, but perhaps doubt, fear, or tradition has silenced our witness. Jesus empowers us to break free. Jesus empowers us to break free from whatever holds us back. Let's be people who recognize and celebrate God's work, who are open to his unexpected methods, and who refuse to let cynicism dampen our joy in a world full of noise. May our voices proclaim the miracles we will wit pointing others to the one who makes the impossible possible.