The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 9 Part 6 Undeniable Proofs That Jesus is God Manifest In The Flesh

It amazes me how much action has happened since Jesus finished His Sermon on the Mount. 

In Matthew 8, Jesus healed a leper and the centurion's loyal servant followed by healing "many" who were demon possessed or suffering from sickness.

Then, Jesus calmed the raging storm that threatened to sink the boat they were in followed by restoring the maniac of Gadara to his right mind.

In this chapter, Jesus healed the palsied man, healed the woman who had an issue of blood and raised Jairus' daughter from the dead.

Next, Jesus restored sight to two blind men right before healing a demon possessed man who was unable to speak that we will study today.

All of this truth about Jesus reminds us that our Lord never reacted to anything.

All that He did was purposeful and devoted to advancing the kingdom of God but His primary purpose was accomplishing mankind's redemption.

Thus, we see Jesus deity on display in the numerous miracles that He worked.

We see Him display the heart of God as He ministered to the afflicted with love and compassion.

We see Jesus work ceaselessly to do the will of His Father.

Jesus cast out a demon. Pharisees blasphemed Jesus saying He did it by the power of Satan.

Matthew 9:32-34  As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. 33)  And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. 34)  But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. 

Jesus had just healed the two blind men when people brought another afflicted person for Him to help.

This man was unable to speak and was possessed by a devil. The Greek word literally means to be under the power of a demon.

We repeatedly see how there was an exceptional amount of demonic activity during Jesus' earthly ministry and during the birth of the church as recorded in the book of Acts.

Spiritual warfare is something we need to take seriously so that we remember to put on the whole armor God provides for us (See Ephesians 6:10-20).

Matthew does not tell us how long this man suffered from demon possession but it is certain his  
situation was hopeless unless God intervened.

The word translated "brought to him" mean leading him to Jesus whom they believed could heal and show kindness to this man.

Matthew does not tell us what Jesus said, instead telling us that the demon was "cast out."

To "cast out" is a strong verb that means Jesus used overwhelming power expelling the demon with rapid motion such that it departs in haste.

Imagine being that man and miraculously being freed from the demonic power and being able to speak.

The multitude was astounded when they witnessed Jesus cast out the demon.

However, the Pharisees found fault and claimed that Jesus cast out devils by the prince of the devils, meaning Satan.

Luke's gospel adds more detail than Matthew's account.

Luke 11:14-16  And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15)  But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16)  And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 

Pharisees blasphemed God by saying that Jesus Christ the Son of God cast out this demon by Beelzebub, which is another name for Satan.

Luke 11:17-20  But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18)  If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19)  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20)  But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 

Jesus knew their thoughts which displays His deity for only God is omniscient. 

Jesus demonstrated how foolish and feeble their accusation was. 

Every house that is divided will fall just as every divided nation will suffer defeat.

If He cast out demons by the power of Satan, then the Devil's kingdom cannot exist.

The undeniable reality is that Jesus cast out the demon by the finger of God and this meant that the kingdom of God was before them.

Jesus' words "with the finger of God" were a deliberate choice that connected Him with Old Testament Jehovah.

Jesus' name means "Jehovah saves" and Jehovah is the name of God intimately connected with salvation.

Scripture was written with the finger of God and Jesus cast out demons with the finger of God.

Deuteronomy 9:9-10  When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: 10)  And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. 

We are familiar with Moses going up on Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from Jehovah.

Moses stayed with God on the mountain for forty days and nights. 

He fasted during that entire period of time.

Notice this stunning example of the verbal inspiration of scripture.

The stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments were "written by the finger of God." 

This fact reminds us that the scriptures are given to us by God without error as the infallible and unchanging rule of God and guide for our lives. 

Let us recap the monumental impact upon people's lives by Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh.

Matthew 8:27  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! 

Jesus' disciples were utterly perplexed and amazed that He had power to still the raging sea and silence the howling winds.

Matthew 9:8  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. 

When the crowds of people saw Jesus heal the palsied man, they gave glory to God.

Matthew  9:26  And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land. 

After healing the woman's issue of blood and raising Jairus' daughter from the dead, people widely proclaimed the good and wonderful things that Jesus did.

Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 

When Jesus taught in a synagogue on the sabbath, the people were amazed to hear such sound doctrine and accurate exposition of the scriptures.

Mark 1:27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

When Jesus cast a demon out of a man, the Jews at the synagogue were astounded that God gave Christ the power over unclean spirits.

Mark 5:20  And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. 

After casting out the legion of demons and restoring the demon possessed man at Gadara, he joyfully told everyone that he met what Jesus had done for him.

Mark 2:12  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. 

After friends let a certain paralyzed man down to Jesus through the roof, the Lord healed him.

All those who witnessed this miracle glorified God and declared that this type of miracle had not been done before. 

Thus, even in a short survey of Jesus' early ministry, we see that He always did good, He always helped those who were in need and He always taught truth from God.

This is why the Pharisees were jealous and criticizing Jesus whenever they could do so.

Light exposes darkness and Jesus showed that they were religious hypocrites who did nothing to bring sinners to God for salvation.

Therefore, the Pharisees resorted to blaspheming the works and deity of Jesus Christ.

Mark 3:22-26  And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23)  And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24)  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25)  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26)  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 

Mark's gospel adds more detail.

He tells us that Jesus showed it is impossible for Satan to cast out Satan which is what they accused Jesus of doing when He cast out the demon.

A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

In like manner if Satan rises up against himself, he cannot stand and his reign of terror is over.

Mark 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 

A man could not break into the house of a strong man and take his property unless he had rendered the man himself helpless. 

If he had taken his goods, it would therefore be sufficient proof that he had bound the man. 

In like manner, Jesus has taken this “property of Satan, a demon possessed person.” 

He removed him from the dominion of Satan. 

Thus, Jesus gave clear proof that He  subdued Satan himself  as a strong being who possessed that poor man.

Pharisees were guilty of blaspheming God and His Spirit and His Son.

Mark 3:28-30  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29)  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30)  Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.  

Those who blasphemed the Spirit of God in this manner are in danger of eternal condemnation from God.

Let us remember that our culture is no friend to Jesus, to the gospel of Christ and to holy living.

The entertainment industry makes a living programming their audiences to do things God forbids and to not do things that God commands us to do.

Thus, they promote violence against others. They promote cursing and vile language by constantly taking the Lord's name in vain.

They promote attacks on the God ordained family unit and instead promote sexual perversion and illicit relationships.

Jesus came to rescue sinners from their depravity.

Those of us who are born again can bear witness of the depravity that God saved us from.

It is all the work of God and the power of Christ's gospel.

Let us renew our efforts to share God's truth with those who do not know Him.

Let us seek to live our lives in accord with the gospel and Christ's commands.

Let us share the truth in love to all people that we interact with.

Bob

Is it any wonder we have been blessed with powerful hymns like "Hallelujah, What A Savior"?

The link below will take you to a fine performance by a youth choir of this wonderful hymn written by Philip Bliss. 

1. “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
   For the Son of God, who came
   Ruined sinners to reclaim.
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
   In my place condemned He stood;
   Sealed my pardon with His blood.
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
3. Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
   Spotless Lamb of God was He;
   “Full atonement!” can it be?
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
4. Lifted up was He to die;
   “It is finished!” was His cry;
   Now in Heav’n exalted high.
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
5. When He comes, our glorious King,
   All His ransomed home to bring,
   Then anew His song we’ll sing:
   Hallelujah! What a Savior!
6. https://youtu.be/xmcXP6hZhu0?feature=shared
   
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