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."
Oh the unbelieving naysayers – seeking to find any reason for the miraculous other than the obviously correct one. The Pharisees were determined to discredit Jesus by crediting His power to the prince of demons for the miracle of the healed demoniac. Later in Matthew we find a similar scenario and our Lord’s reaction to it – clearly this is one of the few times we discover Him defending His authority – most of the times He remained silent to His opposition leaving them alone as blind guides:
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.” Matt 12:22-29 (NIV)
This poor demon possessed man was a sad case indeed – he could not speak. The Devil having gained possession of his soul made him silent of anything good. There was muteness in his prayers and praises as well as muteness in any of the most intimate and kindly conversations. Having just healed the blind man, others usher another of Satan’s handiwork into our Lord’s presence for help. Christ was untiring, always going about doing good – as the waves of the sea, one good work continually followed another. One can never exhaust the goodness, love and mercy of our Lord Jesus:
37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:37-38 (NIV)
“Though our Savior’s passion is over, His compassion is not.” William Penn
“Human love is capable of great things. What then must be the depth and height and intensity of divine love?” Lord Shaftesbury
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)
When Christ heals, he does not simply put a Band-Aid on the problem rather He heals by dealing with the root – removing the effect of its tentacles by taking away the cause. The lips could speak because Satan had lost the power over that poor distraught soul. Never forget, Christ has power over Satan and his minions. I am reminded of Jesus’ Word recorded in Luke:
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20 (NIV)
“I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” John Newton