Seeds for 07/27/2023 - Matthew 9:32-34
Scripture: 32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
Observation: One of the simplest observations one can make is when a biblical author presents a contrast between one person or group and another. This is a good example.
A man, voice stolen by a demon, is brought to Jesus. The passive tense, “was brought to,” lets us know that someone (we can reasonably assume people who cared about him getting better) led him from where he was to the presence of Jesus. Jesus drives the demon out and the now formerly mute man speaks. What a thing to celebrate!
Here we see the contrast: The crowd was amazed but the Pharisees accuse.
The Pharisees’ agenda is so strong and firmed up by now that evidence is bent to fit their theme. It’s interesting that they don’t refute the reality of the man’s deliverance at the hands of Jesus. Instead they declare the source of His power demonic. It’s a desperate move. They can’t refute what has happened. So they spin a story in which Jesus is defeating demonic influence with the power of “the prince of demons.” We want to tell them, “Think it through, fellas.”
Just the same, this illustrates the power of belief and skepticism. The crowd are open to belief, yes. But the narrative treats them as honestly open to the plain and simple interpretation of this event, while the Pharisees’ response strains logic and good sense.
The scripture is asking us too. Are you open to amazement at the work of Jesus? Or are you skeptical and grasping for accusations, regardless how far-fetched they might be? There’s such a thing as honest skepticism. This is not it. This is opposition to Jesus regardless what new information may come their way.
Application:
When have you been amazed at the power of Jesus to deliver people from their demons?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, ground me in the truth of your word. Guard me from jaded skepticism, but keep room in my heart for amazement. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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