DAY SIXTY-FOUR:
Healing a Demon-Possessed Man
Today we look at how Jesus dealt with the demonic powers. This was a large part of His earthly ministry, and He gave His disciples the authority to cast out devils. We're usually uncertain and even a bit frightened of this subject. Let's see what we can learn from this and other passages.
Jesus and the disciples sailed to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, to the land of the Gerasenes. We know this area today as the Golan Heights, a part of Syria but occupied by Israel since the Six Day War in 1967. It has some of the most fertile farmland in the world. In Jesus' day it was part of a region known as the Decapolis (ten cities). These ten cities were heavily influenced by Greek culture.
The pig herders ran off and told what had happened. Others came to check it out and saw the former demoniac just sitting there, clothed and in his right mind. They were frightened and asked Jesus to leave the region. The man who had the legion of demons wanted to get into the boat and join Jesus and His disciples. But Jesus said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." The man did just that, and he was an incredible witness for Jesus all through the Decapolis.
Jesus sent His disciples out with this mandate: "And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay." The disciples had full authority to do what Jesus did, and they did it! They were full of joy when they reported to Jesus, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" (Luke 10:17) Jesus replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:18-19)
What does all of this mean for us today? We don't hear a whole lot about the demonic any more. Does that mean that supernatural evil forces aren't at work in peoples' lives any more? No, said the late M. Scott Peck, a psychiatrist who became a Christian. He details his journey from atheism to faith in his first book The Road Less Traveled. It is his second book, People of the Lie, that I've found very helpful in understanding the supernatural forces behind human evil. Peck saw narcissism, the belief that you're the most important person and that the rules don't apply to you, as the root of evil. Extreme narcissists become psychopaths. He related these conditions to the unseen spiritual forces of Satan and his demons. I have to agree with most of what Peck wrote. When you read about Satan in the Bible it's obvious that he's the supreme narcissist. It only stands to reason that his followers would have that same bent. Satan cannot bear the thought that he is subject to God. He rebelled against God and set to work undermining His work. The serpent appealed to Eve's vanity and pride when he tempted her to eat the forbidden fruit. Every temptation involves pride and self-centeredness in one way or another.
What about the church's ministry today? Should we be casting out demons? I think so, when necessary. We have the same authority that Jesus gave His disciples. The real battle, though, is played out on a far bigger field, and this is where we can best serve. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-12 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The weapons of earthly warfare, like guns and swords, are useless in this battle. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..." Our chief weapon is prayer. Through prayer we demolish Satan's stronghold and weaken his grip on the people around us who are slaves to sin. Prayer is at the same time the most important and the most neglected task. It's vital that we pray as individuals and in groups to break down all that stands in the way of the Kingdom of God. The Moravian Church in Herrnhut, Germany held a prayer meeting that lasted 100 years! They prayed in one-hour shifts around the clock for a century. The article I've linked to mentions that this small community sent out 300 missionaries. That's great, but a whole lot more than that happened during this century of prayer. John Wesley and George Whitefield had powerful evangelistic ministries. There were two major revivals in America during that time and all sorts of other advances for the Kingdom. I have to believe that this prayer meeting was a key to all of that.
One last word: It's easy to get wrapped up in fighting demons. We can start to see devils behind every tree. No doubt they're out there. But Jesus told His disciples, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
I found this very powerful praise and worship song, "Break Every Chain," by a group called Jesus Culture. It's nine minutes long and at first I felt like its repetition was unnecessary. But as I listened the message grabbed hold of me.
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