Jesus at Capernaum
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the paroxysms of the poor sufferer and prevent the words of truth from
reaching the hearts of the people. But the darkened understanding of
the man comprehended that the teachings of Jesus were from Heaven.
The power of divinity aroused the terror of the demon which controlled
his mind, and a conflict ensued between it and his remnant of reason.
[178]
As the victim realized that the Healer was near to release him, his
heart was aroused to long for freedom from Satan’s power. The demon
resisted this power and held control over the poor wretch who was
wrestling against him. The sufferer tried to appeal to Jesus for help,
but when he opened his lips, the demon words in his mouth so that he
shrieked out in an agony of fear, “Let us alone! what have we to do
with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?” The darkened reason of the poor
man partially comprehended that he was in the presence of one who
could free him from the bondage that had so long enslaved him; but
when he sought to come within reach of that mighty hand, another’s
will held him back, another’s words found utterance through him.
By his own sinful course, this man had placed himself on the
enemy’s ground, and Satan had taken possession of all his faculties, so
that when the gloom of his understanding was pierced by feeble rays
of light from the Saviour’s presence, the conflict between his desire
for freedom and the devil’s power threw him into terrible contortions,
and drew from him unearthly cries. The demon exerted all his hellish
power to retain the control of his victim. To lose ground here would
be to give Jesus a victory. He who had, in his own person, conquered
the prince of the power of darkness in the wilderness of temptation,
was now again brought face to face with his enemy.
It seemed that the tortured man must lose his life in the terrible
struggle with the demon that had been the ruin of his manhood. Only
one power could break this cruel tyranny. Jesus spoke with a voice
of authority and set the captive free. The demoniac spirit made a last
effort to rend the life from his victim before he was forced to depart.
[179]
Then the man who had been possessed stood before the wondering
people happy in the freedom of self-possession. In the synagogue
on the Sabbath day, before the assembled congregation, the prince
of darkness was again met and conquered. And even the demon had
testified to the divine power of the Saviour, crying, “Thou Jesus of
Nazareth! Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee, who thou art, the
Holy One of God!”