Wednesday 06 March 2013
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, 'Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.' But the Pharisees said, 'By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.'" (vv. 32-34)
Background
Another day and another miracle. This time a mute, demonpossessed man was brought to Jesus. There are no more details abouthis identity than this. He was brought to Jesus, and was unable tospeak (probably because of his demon possession.)
Many of my friends are currently awaiting the first words to bespoken from their children. The gentle encouragement andenticements to say 'mama' or 'dada' provides the daily soundtrackto mealtimes and playtimes.
What is particularly noticeable here, is that even though we aretold that the man is mute and is then able to speak, we have noidea of what he actually said. For an event so life-changing, thelack of detail is frustrating!
Matthew's Gospel is not trying to pinpoint a key message throughthe healing of the mute, so much as to point to the otherconversations happening at the same time. Those who are recorded asspeaking have two quite distinctive responses. The crowd are amazedat the miracle, and declare that "never has anything like this beenseen in Israel" (v. 33). The Pharisees, however, continue to plotand revile Jesus, accusing him of satanic dark arts (verse 34).
How do you feel about being faced with so many miracles? Whenfaced with the problem of good (why to good things happen toquestionable people), a standard response is that one would believeif one had 'seen it for themselves'. What we see here is theresponse of a number of people who have witnessed miracles - seenwomen cured of bleeding, blind men seeing and mute people speaking- and who are still convinced that Jesus is nothing less thanevil.
I am left wanting the mute man to speak up, to stand up for whathas happened, and to give some account for his new life. Butinstead, the chapter comes to a close with the judgemental groansof the Pharisees howling across the crowds.
To Ponder
- What would your first words be, if you were the mute in thisstory?
- What do you think about demon possession? Is it real or ametaphor?
- What are the important things that you don't talk about? Whatwould help you speak up?