Luke 4:31 - 37 – Do we know what the demons know?
Australians are commonly cynical about talk of Satan, demons and evil spirits. Yet in many parts of the world the spiritual dimension is a reality very much believed in and experienced. For example, in 2001 Simala National High School in the Philippines temporarily closed after evil spirits apparently possessed 11 of the students. The incident occurred during a baptism service. Witnesses reported that one of the students started hissing like a snake while other students were crying like cows and had super-human strength. Other students reportedly shook uncontrollably before passing out. Local bishops were called into counsel and pray with the students.
Demons are a reality in our world and although we often don’t recognize them in the circumstances in which they function, that doesn’t mean they are not there. Jesus had many dealings with evil spirits or demons while on this earth and in many of these encounters, we find out that the demons involved are very well informed about who they are dealing. This morning, I want to briefly look at one of these instances. The question I want to ask you is whether you know what the demons know. Turn in your bibles to Luke 4:31-37
Pray
Jesus had just left his home town where they tried to squeeze Him and His ministry into a box which just didn’t fit what God had for Him. He had burst out and upset a few people in the process and now Jesus makes his way down to Capernaum which was located down on the Sea of Galilee. Again as was his custom, he began to teach the people and again they were amazed at his teaching because it had authority. One thing you have to realize here is that Jesus’ teaching was very different to that of the rabbis and normal teachers of the law. It wasn’t normal for rabbis to think for them selves. A mark of a good sermon was whether it called on the traditions of those famous patriarchs, teachers and Leaders from the past. The authority of their words was the authority of those who came before, but with Jesus, here was something new. He didn’t say, listen, because this is what Elijah says, or Caiaphas the high Priest. No. He says – Listen, because this is what I say. He spoke with authority – his own authority and people were amazed.
That day as he spoke in the synagogue, there was a man who was possessed by a demon. Literally he had a spirit of an unclean demon. I think it is significant, that Luke records that early in his first public ministry, he is confronted by the Opposition. It is to be expected I guess. In vs 18 we read last week that Jesus came to proclaim good news to the spiritually poor and this signaled an all out attack on Satan. A spiritual battle had begun and so it should be no surprise that Jesus is confronted.
Another interesting thing to note here is that the demon possessed man was in the synagogue. Was he a regular attender? I don’t know, but I suspect he was. How many demon possessed people are in this church building now? I can see some of you looking around thinking – I always knew there was something strange about Mrs Greencheese over there. I’m serious though. Just because we are Christians or in church, doesn’t mean that Satan doesn’t have a grip on us. We need to be constantly ministering to each other in this regard as well as on the look out for those that would hinder the work of God in this church.
Today I want to ask you the question – do you know what the demons know? I’ve found 3 things that this passage tells me that we should know, because even the demons know it.
1) Do we know that Satan and Jesus are enemies?
In this record, the evil spirit, confronts Jesus in a loud voice. He says “Ah Ha!” The Greek word used here describes a reaction which is a mixture of surprise, anger and fear. The spirit is indignant and shocked to see Jesus there. This was his turf, and didn’t like some opponent thinking he could muscle in on his Synagogue. Everything was going quite nicely and he didn’t need Jesus to be causing trouble.
The first thing that the demons know about Jesus is that he is their enemy. Satan and Jesus are not good friends. They are enemies. Satan wants to destroy everything that is precious and important to Jesus and this is where you come into the equation. Jesus loves you enough to die for you and so Satan’s plan is to destroy you and if he can’t do that, He will try to hurt you and wound you as much as he can in an attempt to keep you away from Jesus.
This demon, didn’t like Jesus coming onto his turf – he was threatened. Do you know that Satan is threatened when Jesus is active? Do you know that he doesn’t like Jesus ministering to people? Do you know that Satan hates it when we proclaim the gospel of Jesus to people? If we do, we wouldn’t be surprised when we find ourselves under attack from Satan. Because we all know that best form of defense is actually attack don’t we.
Do you also know that Jesus hates sin? Jesus can not stand sin – that is why we can never be found acceptable in God’s sight without forgiveness. If we know that Jesus hates our sin, why do we continue to play with it? Do we know what the demons know? – That Satan and Jesus are enemies and that Jesus hates our sin?
2) Do we know that Jesus is more powerful than Satan?
So this demon, calls out “Ah Ha! What do you want with us Jesus of Nazareth?” Notice the plural here. This may indicate that there were more than one demons involved or maybe he was just referring to other people who were enslaved to Satan and who Jesus sought to save. The demon was demanding an explanation as to why Jesus would dare come and interfere in their work. “Have you come to destroy us?” he continues. This demon knew that Jesus was far more powerful than he. He also knew that he deserved judgment because he was unclean. He could not stand in the presence of a Holy God and expect to survive. He was completely at the mercy of Jesus and so he asks What do you want with us. Have you come to destroy us?
James 2:19 makes the statement “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. Satan and his horde of demons are under no illusions as to the Power of God. They are fearful of the power because they are powerless before it. That is why they aim their attacks at us. Don’t you think if they thought they had a chance to overthrow God and kill God, they would try to do that? In fact they have tried to do that and failed miserably and they learnt their lesson. They can’t defeat God and so their plan of attack is to destroy as many of God’s valuable humans as possible.
Jesus’ power over Satan is very evident in this account. Jesus commands this demon to come out of the man. “Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him”. The demon didn’t dare lay one more finger on that man. The people had never seen such authority and power. That’s because they had never met Jesus. They were truly amazed.
Do you know that you serve a God who is far more powerful than Satan? His demons do – they shudder even at the thought of God. What is your reaction to God? Are you amazed at his great power? Do you fear Him also?
3) Do we know Jesus as the Holy one of God?
The demon knew he was the man who came into the synagogue that day was an enemy and he knew that Jesus was more powerful than he was. He knew these things because he knew exactly who he was dealing with. “I know who you are – You are the Holy one of God!” The demon knew that Jesus was the Holy one of God. What does this mean?
Firstly, it shows us that compared to his unclean state, the demon saw that Jesus was holy or set apart. It was a term that was used to show moral purity and separateness from sin. The demon was unclean and filthy, but Jesus was clean, spotless and holy. Do we recognize Jesus as a Holy one? A person who is spotless and clean. And next to him, do we recognize that our lives are like filthy rags? Jesus is within his rights to be wanting to judge us. We are sinful we are
Second, it shows us that the demon saw that Jesus was from God. This was not just any ordinary man, but was one sent from God. He was God’s anointed one. Now I am probably safe in saying that most people here are convinced that Jesus was God’s son. There may be some who aren’t quite sure though. For those of you, hear what the demon says – you are the Holy One of God. You are sent from God. Look over to vs 41 in the same chapter and we see Jesus dealing with more demons. Their testimonies are similar. “You are the Son of God.” Why is it that many people can’t see what the Demons see. When we talk to non-Christians about Jesus being the Son of God and they ask for proof. Point them to these passages. Even the demons don’t doubt that Jesus was the Holy one of God, the Son of God.
There are only 2 places in the Bible where the phrase the “Holy one of God” is used. The first occurrence is here. It is the demon’s admission, and comes from a belief that Jesus is only a destroyer. Jesus is coming as an enemy to judge and destroy.
The second occurrence is found in John 6:69 and is said by Peter. He and the other disciples have just witnessed the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus walking on water. The next day, many of the 5000 returned for another meal. This was better than McDonalds because it was free. But Jesus starts to talk to them about the real reason he came to earth. It was to be a savior and die. Instead of gorging themselves on bread made from flour, Jesus was asking his disciples to feast on his broken body and blood. This was a fairly difficult idea for people to grasp and many people turned away. Jesus asked his 12 disciples whether they would also turn away, to which Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” While the Demon recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God who would judge and destroy him. Peter recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God who would be a Saviour.
What a contrast. Do you know what the demons know, that Jesus is the Holy one of God? That’s a start, but hopefully you know more than the demons. In their unclean state, the demon could only see Jesus as a perfect one who would judge and destroyer those who were unclean, but we have the opportunity to be forgiven and to see Jesus as the Savior. Because he is perfect and holy, he could offer his life and pay the price for our sins. Because of his holiness, he can become our Saviour.
So I ask the question again. Do you know that the demons know?
1) Do you know that Satan and Jesus are enemies? If so, stop sinning. Stop living life in Satan’s camp and come out and join Jesus’ side
2) Do you know that Jesus is more powerful than Satan? Satan and all who submit to him will one day be judged. Know that the demons are fully aware of this fact and it makes them tremble. It should make us tremble in fear also if we do not have a personal relationship with God.
3) Do you know that Jesus is the Holy one of God? He is holy and pure and as such can’t tolerate sin. This will one day lead him to judge and destroy all that is wicked. But I urge you to get to know Him not just as judge, but as Saviour, because the same holiness that enables Him to Judge, also enables Him to Save.
Do you know what the demons know? If you do, what are you going to do about it this week?
