AS the two blind men were leaving Jesus another man in need was brought to Jesus. From this we see how pressed Jesus was in his ministry by people in need. Jesus gave himself unstintingly to minister to those in need, and those of us who are called to ministry should seek to do this also.

In the case of this man there is a difference from the two blind men who preceded him. In this case the man was brought. This suggests that he was totally helpless to do anything for himself. Those who brought this man also give us an example. We who know the blessing of Jesus, and his saving grace, should be eager to bring others to Jesus. We do this by witness, and by bringing them in the way of hearing the Gospel. How many of us go out of our way to look for people we may be able to bring to church, or bring to some ministry where they may hear of Christ. It is good to give an invitation; it is much better to offer to take a person to the place where they may hear the Gospel. This may take more energy and time, but it is caring for souls as Jesus did.

There must have been something different about this dumbness. The NIV speaks of the man has having been mute. When a person is deaf, then speech is impaired, or if the deafness has been from birth, speech is impossible. However, a deaf and dumb person can and does make sounds through his mouth. His vocal chords are not impaired. Speech is impossible because of deafness. A mute person is one who utters no sound, and can't make any sound through his vocal chords. Such a person can hear and understand language, but can't articulate language. This was the problem of this man.

But there must have been something beyond just a physical impediment, because his affliction was attributed to demon possession. It is easy to say that at that time people attributed to demons conditions which today would be recognised, with our advanced medical knowledge, as nothing more than a physical problem. However the inspired Scriptures speak of it as demon possession, and we have no right to doubt such a diagnosis.

The reality of devils and demons in a spiritual realm has been rubbished in western society through much of the 20th century. Now in the 21st century we find people recognising the reality of the spiritual realm, and seeking to identify with it. This has placed people in danger as people do not realise the dangers involved and the danger of being sucked into a demon environment, where devil possession can result. There is only one place we are safe, and our spiritual side is satisfied, and this place is through faith in Christ.

Whatever else we may say, the reality of demons is set before us here. The Bible testifies to Satan and his dominion in this world in which we live. We are told that the whole world lies in the evil one, by which is meant that the world is under the rule and dominion of Satan. The Bible tells us that Satan is the god of this world, and by this we understand that Satan is the the being who holds people in his power, and all people are held captive by this power, and whether they admit it, they worship Satan. This is emphasised in the New Testament when we are told that those whom Christ saves are translated from the kingdom of Satan and this world, and are translated into the Kingdom of Christ. This captivity to Satan is upon all who do not know Christ, and the blindness of the world to this is seen that generally speaking such dominion is denied. This dominion is seen, however, in the way the world is. Satan's purpose is to destroy, and if human beings have any characteristic which is universal it is the urge to destroy. History today and every time proves this. Even those who seek to do good are effected, and they do not realise it, and it effects their best efforts. Nor is this dominion exclusive to the non-religious. This dominion is seen in the manifold different religions other than Christ's religion, and is also seen in how the Christian church has been and is infiltrated by the devil in so many ways.

The great message of this incident is the testimony to the fact that Christ has dominion over Satan, and power to cast him out and deliver from his power. Jesus drove out the demon, and immediately the affliction caused by the demon was removed, and the man could speak and communicate.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Satan knew this so he mobilised his subjects to oppose Jesus in every way possible. It may seem strange to us, but Satan's subjects were the Pharisees and the religious leader amongst the Jews. Jesus told them they had Satan as their father and were following him. We see this dominion of Satan over the Pharisees here in verse 34. They rubbished this miracle of grace which Jesus performed and attributed the power of Jesus to the devil. In this we see the subtlety of the evil one. He always resorts to such false accusation to hide his own involvement, and to accuse or to avoid accusation upon himself. This is a ploy which is much used today, and has ever been a tool of the evil one.

Nonetheless, Satan could not resist the power of Jesus. This demon possessed man was delivered from that dominion. This is what Jesus does. He won the great victory over Satan on the cross. He rose victorious over sin, Satan, death and hell. He is mighty to save, and all who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. To come to Jesus confessing our need and pleading for his mercy, results in dying with Christ, and being raised again to life in Christ's kingdom, with real new life, which Satan can never again take away. Satan will persecute the believer, but he can't take him or her back into his kingdom. Jesus is the stronger than the strong man, Satan, and spoils Satan's goods.