July 27

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb, and he healed him.—Matthew 12:22.

How diversified, aggravated, and numberless are the effects which sin has produced on the human race. All the maladies of the body and all the miseries of the mind are to be traced to this one source. In the case before us, we have a melancholy exhibition of human wretchedness and suffering — one who was possessed with an evil spirit, constantly under the overpowering influences of a devil—no longer free to act as a reasonable, intelligent being, but constantly acting under the supernatural energies of an unholy, malignant spirit. The effects of this possession we have already specified — for he was blind and dumb. How truly deplorable must have been his state — a stranger to all the beauties of creation, and incapable of holding intercourse with society. Either of these maladies exclude from most of the rational enjoyments of life; when combined, they must have formed the climax of human woe. Happy, however, for him that he was brought to Christ. His maladies rendered him dependent for this to others; for he could not have found Jesus, or known of him but for others. And what was the result? Why, Jesus exerted his compassionate, almighty power, and healed him. Nothing is said of the way and manner, and this is of inferior moment; but it is said that he healed him, so that he both spake and saw. Darkness was rolled away from his sightless eye-balls, and his tongue was loosened, and, as a matter of course, the hellish demon was cast out. We are reminded in this case of the condition of sinners under the influence of Satan, and ignorant of God, and speechless as regards his glory and praise. Divine grace illuminates the mind, expels the reigning foe, and fills the mouth with songs of thankfulness to the God of salvation. Let it be the earnest and constant solicitude of believers, to bring their sin-sick friends and neighbours to Jesus. Attention to the souls of men is a beautiful evidence of the reality of our own conversion and acceptation with God.