During His earthly ministry, Jesus encountered many who were demon possessed. He cast them out from all that came to Him asking for help (Matthew 8:28-34; Matthew 9:33; Mark 5:8; Mark 9:25; Mark 16:9; Luke 4:41; 35; Luke 9:29; Luke 10:17; Luke 11:14). He delivered those that were oppressed by the devil without exception (Matthew 8:16; Mark 1:34; 39; Luke 13:32).
Casting out demons from the demon possessed was a direct fulfillment to the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah, “… the LORD has anointed Me …to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1 also Luke 4:18). Thus, Jesus’ mission was to release those who have been captives of Satan in body, mind, and spirit (Romans 6:16).
“Why could we not cast it out?”
On one occasion, Jesus’ disciples failed to cast a demon out of a person (Matthew 17:16). Therefore, they “came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:19-20).
Jesus taught His disciples that prayer and fasting can break the satanic powers over people and defeat the devil. They had access to the power to cast out any demon. Unfortunately, the disciples had too much faith in themselves and too little faith in God (Matthew 8:26).
All things are possible with God
The Lord declared that any condition, however difficult it may seem, cannot hinder the accomplishment of His divine deliverance (Isa. 45:18; 55:8–11). For “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). This is true to anyone who is willing to allow God to control their life (Phil. 4:13). Only the power of God working in a person’s life can bring about freedom from oppression.
Before Jesus sent His twelve disciples to preach the kingdom of God, He gave them “power against unclean spirits, to cast them out…” (Matthew 10:1, Mark 3:15). He later commissioned the seventy disciples with the same message, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions…and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19, see also Mark 16:18).
Signs of the believers
Today, the same commission is also applicable to all who go forth in the service of Christ and His kingdom (Matthew 10: 16–42). The good news is that Christ is the same today as He was when He walked on this earth (Luke 4:18). He will empower His followers to carry on His good will. For He promised, “these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out demons” (Mark 16:17).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
