The two blind men, having received their sight, left the house (Matt. 9:32a). "As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed" (v. 32). No rest for the weary! It seems that Jesus didn't even have a chance to catch His breath. Two leave, having been healed, and another man is brought in.
This man was a mute; he could not speak. He was probably unable to speak for some time. He was also demon-possessed. The two conditions are most likely connected. The demon that controlled him wouldn't let him speak. Jesus knew that the way to heal the man's voice was to cast out the demon; and Jesus did just that. He cast out the demon, setting this man free!
In a very matter-of-fact manner, we are told, "And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke" (v. 33a). Just like that, the man was set free as the demon was cast out, and for the first time in a long time, the man began to speak.
What a miracle! The Scripture continues, "And the multitudes marveled, saying, 'It was never seen like this in Israel!'" (v. 33b). The crowd that was following Jesus, was dumbfounded. Never had they witnessed such a great miracle in Israel throughout its long and storied history.
The crowd marveled; but the Pharisees were troubled. Jesus continued to steal their thunder. The multitudes continued to follow Jesus instead of following them. They declared to the people, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons" (v. 34).
This same thought was raised by the scribes in Mark 3:22, where Jesus responded, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end" (vv. 23b-26).
One greater than Satan, one much stronger than Satan, has cast out this demon. That one, of course, is Jesus Christ. He is God's Son, our Lord and Savior. Trust Him! Never forget, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4b). Amen.
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