What Jesus Did! 'Again, Time to Decide' — John 10:19-21

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

When [Jesus] said these things [about laying down his life and taking it back up], the people were again divided in their opinions about him. Some said, "He's demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?" Others said, "This doesn't sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
— John 10:19-21 NLT

Key Thought

Sometimes we fail to hear the bite in Jesus' words because we have heard them so many times before. For Jesus to claim to have the power and authority to lay down his life and take it back up again is to claim the humanly impossible and preposterous. The people react with disagreement with each other, as they often did, to his strong claims. They recognize that either they have to believe him and put their trust in him, or else he's "demon possessed and out of his mind." What's your choice? You cannot be neutral about Jesus. He is either Lord or liar, Christ or crazy man.

Today's Prayer

Father, I choose to believe that it is true that Jesus is your Son, and I want him to be my Lord. Fill me with your Spirit and with the passion to live this truth and to share it with others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 2:36-41
  • Romans 10:9-13
  • 1 Corinthians 12:3

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Illustration

Illustration of John 10:19-21 NLT — "He's demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?" —— "This doesn't sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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