Today our attention is turned once again to a demonic confrontation where our Lord Jesus Christ shows yet again His power over evil. This account is also found in Matthew and Luke giving us 3 different witnesses. When taken together we get a full picture of what was going on. In Matthew 17:14-21 we learn that the young boy at the center of this narrative was epileptic and suffered severely. Luke 9:37-43 lets us know that this young boy is his father’s only child. When we put it all together we see a boy who has a mute spirit, foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and suffers from epilepsy or seizers.
These demons are those spiritual beings, corrupt and hostile to both God and man, whom Jesus exorcised from their victims. These disgusting vile creatures are permanently opposed to God, and as such they hate His image bearers (humanity), and they hate the Kingdom of God. Since the cross of Christ, the preaching of the gospel, and the expansion of His glorious kingdom, we do not see their power demonstrated anything like it was before Christ came. Satan is bound, and he is bound right now. I’ve heard it explained like this: Satan is like a dog on a chain. He’s still there and vicious as ever, but he is chained. Christ has permitted him to only go so far. Concerning demons, John Calvin said, “they drag their chains wherever they go.” Just remember, they are chained though. We have seen them time and again recognize and fear Christ, and we’ve seen how they are subjected to His authority. Martin Luther stated that the devil is God’s devil. So, while we may see demonic things, and it may appear that we are surrounded by evil we would do well to remember that these forces have no power over God’s elect. Demons are our Lord’s defeated enemies. Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them in it.” Demons are limited in their power and are permitted to do whatever they do only for the glory of God as His people contend and defeat them in the name of Christ. So, as we study this today, do not be afraid.

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