Key Thought

I'm amazed at how often Jesus left the crowds and went off to pray or how he resisted the crowds and still generously shared his acts of compassion. So often today, we have the tendency to think that things have to be big and attract a big "audience" to be impressive and have an impact on our community. In reality, very seldom is God's work done by a crowd. Jesus' ministry was blessed because of God's grace and Jesus' faithfulness, not because of some slick marketing scheme. Don't get me wrong; I believe we find every available means to ethically reach people with the Gospel. But notice that Jesus' ministry expands, not because he does this miracle to prove something to the crowds, but because he does something to care for a broken family in a private but powerful way.

Today's Prayer

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Oh Lord, please give me the heart to give the highest earthly priority to people so that caring for others is second only to you in my ministry. Help me to not only see those around me that need your Son as Savior, but to minister to them in genuine ways that will help them come to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the synagogue came to him. The leader bowed down before Jesus and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with your hand, and she will live again." So Jesus stood up and went with the leader. Jesus' followers went too. There was a woman that had been bleeding for twelve years. The woman came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of his coat. The woman was thinking, "If I can touch his coat, then I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw the woman. Jesus said, "Be happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed." Then the woman was healed. Jesus continued going with the Jewish leader and went into the leader's house. Jesus saw people there that make music for funerals. And he saw many people there upset {because the girl died}. Jesus said, "Go away. The girl is not dead. She is only asleep." But the people laughed at Jesus. After the people were put out of the house, Jesus went into the girl's room. Jesus held the girl's hand, and the girl stood up. The news about this spread all around the area.

— Matthew 9:18-26 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.