In His Name Devotionals
JESUS AND DEMONS
In His Name Devotionals
JESUS AND DEMONS
“Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ” (Luke 4:41).
Jesus’ ministry had dimensions that were uncomfortable, embarrassing, and awesome—uncomfortable because it spoke forthrightly of the demon world; embarrassing because it showed that demons were fully aware of Jesus’ power over them even though, at the time, the human race was not aware of Jesus’ omnipotence. Our Lord’s ministry was awesome because it pulled the veil aside and showed us a rare peek at larger realms, over which Jesus had unquestioned power and sovereignty.
The demons fully confessed Jesus’ power to torture, banish, and destroy them (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:31; and Mark 1:24). They also confessed that He was the Christ, the Holy One of God. This was exceptional because the only time Jesus was ever called Holy (chief attribute of God!) during His personal ministry was by a demon. They knew that Jesus was not only the Son of God, but the Holy One of the Most High God.
What was Jesus’ reaction to this “other-worldly” awareness? “He gave them strict orders not to tell who he was” (Mark 3:12). “‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly” (Mark 1:25). “Moreover, demons came out of many people shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.”
Jesus did not perform miracles to solicit the testimony of demons. He forbade their confessions as corroborating evidence of His uniqueness. As truly God and truly man, Jesus came to save mankind—not demons!
