The children of Nazareth did not recognize the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. They did not understand the preaching of the Savior, closed themselves against his teaching and person, hated him because he rebuked their hardness, and wanted to kill him. So Jesus finally departed from his hometown, and chose Capernaum, a small city on the northwest corner of the Sea of Tiberias, as the main center of his activity, where he dwelt in the house of Peter, the eldest of his disciples. In Capernaum, Jesus went every Sabbath to the synagogue, where the praying seekers of God met, and he taught them with mighty authority, for God, himself, who dwelt in him, spoke through him, and they were all cut to the heart. The familiar words in the Torah became in his mouth full of light and power, piercing the hearts with God’s judgment, and comforting the hopeless with the love of the Highest. Jesus’ teaching was not logical, objective, or classical, but spiritual and direct, which hit the foundation of subconscious.
A man possessed by an unclean spirit, whom nobody could release, came into the synagogue, and when the evil spirit felt God’s presence, he cried frightfully, "What do you want of me? I do not want to join myself to you. Keep away from me. The time has not come yet for judgment. Why are you coming early? I know you exactly Man, Jesus of the wicked Nazareth. You are the Holy One of God." The demons know Jesus, believe in him, and tremble at his holiness. All hell fears this unique name "Jesus" the Man of God. They did not see his love, kindness, help, and salvation, for his glorious mercy was concealed from them. They trembled at his holy, authoritative majesty, for God’s holiness hides the glory of his love. The devil did not see the innermost essence of Jesus, but only realized the rays of his shining truth.
Jesus did not allow the devil to speak any more, for his saying was an initial lying even if it appeared as the most truthful saying. Jesus is certainly the Holy One and the Judge of the world, but his heart is full of love for salvation, healing, deliverance, comfort, and giving life. The Spirit of the Lord in Christ intended to redeem the world, and not to destroy it. However, the devil did not declare this truth, but wanted to let mankind fall into fear of Jesus, just as his fear of Jesus was disturbed and confused.
Jesus had mercy upon the suffering demon-possessed, and commanded the unclean spirit with a word’s speaking to go out. When God decides something, no one can object. With a cry of fear, the demon went out of its residence, which he had captured, and threw the man to the floor with force and fury, as if he would have dashed him to pieces; but he could not hurt him, for the Son of God enclosed the poor man with his merciful power.
Then those who stood by kept in place, and their back nerves became numb, seeing the struggle between heaven and hell. They realized the authoritative means in Jesus, that is his powerful word. Did you realize by which means the authority of Christ comes to us? It only comes by means of his gospel. Open yourself completely to the words of Christ, so that all the powers of God may dwell in you, uncovering all your sins, forgiving you all your sins, and overcoming all unclean spirits in you. Christ is the Triumphant even over your thoughts, spirit, and body, if you open yourself to him willingly.