Demons Feared Jesus 

   No. 4 of 8

     Demons are seldom mentioned in the Old Testament. Then, God came to earth in the person of infant Jesus, and demons rallied. 

     When King Herod was told a new "king" had been born, how else do we explain his murderous response? Demons would have known the baby was no threat to old Herod. They knew who Jesus was, and possibly Satan himself prompted Herod to order the death of all boys in Bethlehem two years and under. (See Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:15-17)

     God of course is sovereign, and an angel told Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus and escape to Egypt until told otherwise. Do we question God's response? Herod probably died still thinking he had eliminated his "rival."

     Thirty years later, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus. He drove out the spirits with a word. (see Matt. 8:16 and Isaiah 53:4)

     "Two demon-possessed (violent) men coming from the tombs met Jesus. 'What do you want with us, Son of God?' they shouted. 'Have you come to torture us before the appointed time?'" (Matt. 8:28) 

     "Two demons begged Jesus, 'If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.'" He said "Go!" The herd rushed down to a lake and died in the water. (Matt. 8:30)

     "Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute. Pharisees said, "It is only by Beelzebub the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons." 

     Jesus: "If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. By whom do your people drive them out? But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matt. chapter 12) 

     "The people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. But he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was." (Mark 1:32, 34) 

Next: Testy debates over demons