Eyewitness to the Messiah
From Desperation to Deliverance
Matthew 17:14-21
This morning we deal with a passage that has to do with a controversial subject in the Christian community—demon-possession, a.k.a., demonization and also demonic oppression.
What are we to make of such accounts in Jesus’ ministry? Are these accounts an anachronism, a compromise Jesus made with primitive or medieval superstition, as even some Christian commentators suggest? Do things like these actually happen today? Do they only happen in primitive third-world countries? And do they happen to Christians? Are we who are believers actually vulnerable to these sorts of attacks? And if so, how do we deal with them? Do we deal with them exactly like Jesus did? Or the disciples did? More than that, what do we do if at first we don’t succeed? If there’s failure, as there was in this case? How relevant, after all, is a situation like this to Christians today?
Now those are a lot of questions to answer in one message. I’m not sure I can a thorough job of answering all these questions in the course of teaching the passage.
But anyone who knows me very well, knows how I would answer these questions. Just like the Bible consistently does. No, these stories aren’t anachronistic, a compromise with primitive or medieval superstition. They are a reflection of a world-view which the Bible consistently testifies to—that there are indeed very wicked, invisible evil spirits operating in our world who are the result of an ancient rebellion began by Lucifer, a powerful and highly placed angel. They oppose God, life, all that is good and right, and seek to bring the world into rebellion against God and to deceive mankind with respect to the truth about Jesus Christ. Second, these kinds of things do happen to people today in varying degrees, more so to non-Christians who are involved in occultic or satanic activity or false religion. But to some degree Christians who give ground to Satan through believing lies or involvement in sin also open themselves to demonic attack. The question of how we deal with them will be the subject of the body of this morning’s message. But let me say this, this story is very relevant to us today, especially in cases in which there is failure—a failure to effectively free believers from demonic oppression.
Just how relevant this passage is this week was driven home by the fact that the very week we just happened to come to this passage in our teaching through the Gospel that I encountered a situation in my ministry that in many respects paralleled the circumstances evident in this story. A couple from out-of-state whom none of you would know was referred to me for help with spiritual problems—namely varying manifestations of evil spirits. They had been to several evangelical pastors in their home state for help, but all help had failed. The kind of helps tried varied from sprinkling holy water to praying in tongues. The husband was ready to give up, but his wife persevered in her hope of finding hope and was finally referred by a friend to me.
The situation was in this way similar to the circumstance faced by the father in this story we have just read. He apparently had come to find help from Jesus as He and the disciples were in the very northernmost regions of Israel, only to find nine of the disciples and no Jesus. Jesus and the three disciples had climbed the Mount of Transfiguration to experience the mountain-top experience in the presence of God the Father and Elijah and Moses which we talked about last week. But after most every Mountain-Top experience comes the descent into the valley of this world’s grim realities, and the experience of Jesus and his three closest disciples was no different.
And all three Gospels in which this story occurs, the account of Transfiguration is followed by these events—in obviously Matthew, Mark and Luke. Mark gives quite a few more details, and its evident the nine disciples are neck-deep in snake-pit as Jesus makes his appearance. Mark tells us they were involved in a dispute with the scribes, and all three accounts tell us that when Jesus shows up, he is immediately approached by a man who is desperate for help for his son, who had already tried to get help from the disciples, but the disciples had failed in their attempts to deliver his son from a suspected demon.
Matthew has given us some key details of course. As Jesus comes back to join the nine remaining disciples, this man fell on his knees before Jesus, and according to verse 14, begs him saying, Lord have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill, for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
The first thing to notice is that the father had not given up. I’m sure he was deeply discouraged by the fact that Jesus’ disciples could not help his son. I imagine that they were very surprised and confounded by this fact as well. The odd thing is that Jesus had actually given the disciples authority to do so when he sent them out two-by-two in Matthew 10. Matthew 10:1 tells us that Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. And the fact is they went out did exactly that—apparently without any problem, just as Jesus had done. When they told a demon or demons to go, they had to go. When Jesus gave the same commission to the 70, they came back and reported in Luke 10:20 that even the demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name. So, for the first and apparently only time, Jesus’ disciples had not been able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name. What had gone wrong?
That’s the question that concerns us. But for the people who have been so tragically afflicted the major concern is that they and their loves ones are still in big trouble. And this boy’s father is desperate. It’s reflected in the fact that he immediately falls to his knees and begs for Jesus’ mercy on His son.
It’s clear that He did not believe that there was any other answer—that Jesus was likely the only one who could cure or deliver His son.
This man sets a great example for us. The example is this: When we’re troubled by evil spirits, or even desperate, don’t give up! Don’t give up, but keep seeking Jesus for help.
Before I had much personal experience with deliverance, a minister, Christian author and radio host by the name of Bob Larson came to my seminary. He talked about deliverance. And He said the one thing that the devil counts on is that Christians will give up. It’s not always as easy as commanding a demonic spirit in Jesus’ name, as Jesus did. In fact, it can be a very difficult experience, requiring much perseverance. But he was right. Never ever give up! Where there is Jesus, there’s a way. But without Jesus, there is no deliverance.
One of the worst things you can do if you’re experiencing strange manifestations, nightmares, all kinds of temptations that are very difficult to control is do nothing. Maybe you’re afraid people will think you’re crazy. But the truth of the matter is that demons exist, they do afflict people from time-to-time, and the long you ignore the problem, the worse it will likely get. Because that’s the goal of demons—like their father the devil they come to steal, kill and destroy.
Now maybe you’re wondering if you have a demonic problem. How can you tell you’ve got a problem with evil spirits? In Matthew’s account, the boy’s father doesn’t immediately indicate the problem is demonic. It’s clear in other accounts that’s what he believes is the problem. But his description in Matthew is very telling: Again, in verses 15 and 16 he describes the symptoms of his boy’s problem. First, he says he is a lunatic. Many versions use the word epileptic here, almost indicating that the real problem is organic, medical and not spiritual. But the New American Standard Bible uses the Latin word Lunatic, which is closer to the original in that Luna stands for the moon. He is saying that his son is moon-ized or moon-struck. Now I have a theory that this expression comes from the fact that many people who acted with some kind of insanity often did so in relation to phases of the moon, and that they especially often especially experienced these kinds of symptoms during a full moon. There’s an interesting correlation here with the fact that occultists and Satan-worshipers often are most active around full moons, and the fact that I’ve talked to a police officer or two who say that periods with full moon, for reasons unknown to them, are often times when they are the busiest with all kinds of violent and illegal activity. I don’t think that all these factors are accidents.
However, that’s just the start of this man’s description about what is going on with his son. He says that he often falls into the water and into the fire. In other words, this boy's lunacy is that often seemed suicidal. This also correlates with the express intent of demons. As Jesus said in John 8:44-45, the devil was a murderer from the beginning, and so are his cohorts, the demons.
Demonic activity is very often associated with suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, and actions. In this case, this boy was inhabited by a demon bent on killing him through throwing him into the water or into fire. Neither was this accidental.
The other accounts tell us that the boy was also a deaf-mute, and the reason for his affliction was that he had a deaf-mute demon—a particular kind of demon. Now this is interesting also because it tells us that there are different kinds of demons, apparently with different powers, affects and assignments. What I’ve found is that particular demons will often specialize in certain kinds of sins.
He also tells Jesus he is very ill. That is he suffers greatly from this possession.
What we learn from this is that we need to be alert for symptoms of demonic influence, involvement or oppression. Yes, it can appear as epilepsy, which I believe is a medically or organically-caused disease much of the time, but sometimes it’s something more. Other symptoms will be determinative. Are their blasphemous thoughts, heretical thoughts, suicidal or homicidal tendencies? More than that, are there apparitions, compulsions, compulsive behavior, nightmares or trances? What I’ve found with sincere Christians who really want to live for Christ and find themselves overwhelmed by temptations, is that often those kinds of overwhelming temptations often have a demonic source.
Now Jesus, when he hears the father’s description of what’s going on with his son, does something very interesting. He makes a comment, what is both a comment and a rebuke, I suspect to the man, the son, and everyone who was looking on. It’s really a lamentation of the very tragic state of affairs that He is encountering in this sin-filled and perverted world.
Verse 17: “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you. How long shall I put with you.”
Now the Holy Spirit included this brief lamentation for a purpose. I believe it’s because Jesus’ words are full of meaning. They represent God’s perspective regarding the very tragic state of affairs that was present among men then, and present among people today. What we need to understand is that we are still part of this same kind of situation that produces sad and tragic consequences such as the one just described. Also, Jesus actually expresses some exasperation, some level of impatience with the circumstances. We often forget that as God, Jesus is holy, and though God incredibly patient, incredibly long suffering, He will not always put up with the sin of this world. One day Jesus will return and put an end to evil and sin, and those who are committed to it.
But notice how he described that generation, even our generation. What’s the number one problem? Unbelief. Unbelief in the one, true living God. Jesus is saying that this horrible situation began with unbelief. When we do not acknowledge, believe in and serve the one true living God we are passively or actively on the devil’s side—in rebellion to God. The result is that we, as long as we are unbelievers, as I John 5:19 puts it, “in the lap of the evil one.” The whole world of unbelievers is essentially under the deception and influence of Satan and His demons, all because unbelief is a result of the rebellion that took place in the Garden of Eden.
Second, Jesus describes us as perverse—or He describes the world as perverse. The word literally means distorted, twisted, even twisted in two. God’s plan was perfect; it was wonderful, that’s what sin and rebellion and the devil specialize in. Distorting, and perverting God’s ways. Destroying His good and perfect intent.
So how did this boy end up in this situation? Jesus has told us. Unbelief and perversion. Unbelief and gross sin. We don’t know the precise perversion that He was involved in. The point is that unbelief and gross sin is what got him in this fix. It’s precisely what gives the devil and his demons an opportunity or a place in our lives to take advantage of.
Now this is very important here. Jesus words are diagnostic. They tell us essentially how some, anyone ends up afflicted as seriously as this young man. Our third point this morning. Recognize unbelief and sin are the root problems. Yes, the root problem behind demonic oppression, or demonization. You’ve got to deal with these problems if you are going to resolve the demon-issue.
Now, the question comes to mind at this point: What about believers? Obviously, belief isn’t a problem for them. That’s true. However, sometimes sin, sometimes even gross sin is. And the reason that Christians sin is that they have believed some lie—that sin will ultimately satisfy in a way that God’s will won’t. So unbelief and sin can also be a problem for a believer.
So aren’t believers absolutely protected from the evil one? The New Testament indicates that we need to be sober and alert, for the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone, a believer to devour. So, yes, we are still vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. We are as vulnerable as the lies we believe and the sins we participate in allow us to be.
A key verse which we all need to memorize regarding how a believer to deal with the devil is James 4:7: “Submit therefore to the Lord, resist the devil, and He will flee.” Notice the order. It’s crucial. You must first submit to the Lord, with regard to your sin, or a false belief. Then and only then can you resist the devil. Because if you do not submit to the Lord, well, you’re on the devil’s side, and that side is rebellion. But once you submit to the Lord, you do have the power to resist the devil, and when you do He will flee!
That’s why confession of sin and renunciation of false beliefs are so terribly important for believers today, and is often the key to deliverance.
So if you suspect you have some demonic influence in your life, if there are some really weird things going on, or you don’t experience the power of temptation believers are promised, and you want to break out of your circumstance, that’s when you need to remember verses like I John 1:9 and apply it. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confess and forsake, or renounce your sin and your false beliefs, then resist the devil, tell those demons to leave you alone, and they have to! In Jesus’ name.
But the problem here, remember is that this demon was not conforming to the pattern. The disciples attempted cast him out just as they had so often seen Jesus do, with no success. So Jesus mercifully complies with the father’s request, and at the end of verse 17, tells him to bring the boy to Him.
Now Matthew omits a part of what happens here. Mark tells us as they brought the boy there was a severe demonic manifestation. Mark 9:20 tells us that the demon immediately threw the boy into a convulsion, and threw him to the ground and he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. Sounds like an epileptic fit, doesn’t it. It was certainly a fit, but a demonic fit. It was the demons one last determined effort to prevent what he knew was about to happen. Jesus was going to cast him out. Now there’s something to be learned here. Demons will do anything and everything to resist being sent away. You can often expect if you are involved in delivering someone from a demon, that there will be some kind of resistance, ranging from distracting, unbelieving thoughts, to manifestations as severe as this one—and sometimes even repercussion for those involved in deliverance. That’s why it’s incredibly important to have your spiritual armor on in this kind of ministry. Read Ephesians 6:10-20 if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
So Jesus rebukes the demon, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Wow! Jesus is our rock, our fortress and our deliverer, the only deliverer as the song says. People who don’t know Jesus have no cure, they have no deliverance. Jesus is Lord of all, and Lord of the Spirits, and when He speaks, demons listen, or else. And they know it! Amen!
Well, the disciples of course wonder why Jesus had success and they didn’t. So after all is said and done, and the crowd and the dad and his son are gone, verse 19 tells us that the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?
So Jesus answers with the key: “Because of the littleness of your faith, for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” And then there’s verse 21, which appears in some of your Bibles and not others. It says, “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” In my New American Standard it appears in brackets. Now why is there a variance here? Well, it’s because some of the oldest Greek manuscripts don’t have this verse here. The majority of Greek manuscripts have it. So it’s a matter of controversy whether verse 21 was in the original. However, Mark 9:29, the parallel account, has a very similar verse and there is no question about it being part of the original account. And what Jesus said there is: “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”
So here was the key issue that resulted in the disciple’s failure. What was it? Persevering faith and prayer. Our final point this morning: Keep on believing and praying. Persevere in faith and prayer.
Apparently what happened with the disciples is that they commanded the spirit to come out in Jesus name, just like they always had, and wallaa—nothing happened. They were completely stumped at that point. They didn’t persevere and they didn’t pray? Why, because they didn’t believe enough. They didn’t believe that ultimately, if they prayed, Jesus would be victorious. Their faith was too small in precisely this way—they gave it one shot, a command, and when it didn’t work, they gave up. Perseverance in prayer is often the sign of great faith, and it is apparently the one thing the boy’s father, in desperation was willing to do. He persevered, until He had Jesus’ attention, and then, and only then, was there deliverance.
And one other note here. Notice, both Matthew 10:21 and Mark 9:29 say, “This kind only comes out by prayer.” In other words, there are different kinds of demons, and there are some that only come out with prayer.
In other words, if at first you don’t succeed, pray, pray and pray again!
Our final point this morning: Persevere in faith and prayer for deliverance! Persevere in faith and prayer for deliverance.
Now maybe you’re wondering how it went in the deliverance session I had with the couple from out of state. Well, it started out well, and then it became increasingly difficult. There were a number of occasions where the husband found it difficult or impossible to speak or pray. Other times he wanted to give up. He continually experienced mental interference, thoughts like this just isn’t going to work, to heck with it, just get a divorce, or I’ve heard this before, or would just check out mentally. You know what we had to do, just as repeatedly, we had to pray to Jesus, to cry out for mercy, for him to free this man from the obvious resistance he was experiencing from the demonic powers who were harassing him. But ultimately, because we persevered in faith and prayer, we experienced success. Jesus delivered him. It took hours.
It’s just like Bob Larson once said, “the thing the devil counts on is that believers will give up.”
You know why we give up. Because of the littleness of our faith which results in an unwillingness to persevere prayer.
But it’s ultimately just as Jesus said, when you have a faith that perseveres in prayer, you win. You go from desperation to deliverance, because Jesus always wins over the devil. Amen!
Amen!
