What Jesus Did! 'Out of the Mouths of Babes!' — Matthew 21:14-17

Monday, October 4, 2021

The blind and the lame came to [Jesus] in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David."

But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"

"Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'" Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

— Matthew 21:14-17 NLT

Key Thought

When hearts have chosen to be hard, they can ignore God's work no matter how spectacular it is. What is most scary about this situation is that we often find those people who choose to harden their hearts are often God's people who are trying to defend a tangent, a position, or a tradition and in the process miss the work of God.

Jesus' ministry is for the lost, last, least, and left out and those who are willing to become the last and the least in his service — they notice, change their hearts, and offer their lives to Jesus. They are transformed. When you have nothing to protect and only the grace of God to capture your heart, then it's easy to declare the truth when you see it. That's why a song like "Amazing Grace" is so important: It reminds us that we were once lost, last, least, and left out. Because of his great love for us, Jesus came to find us, to make us first, to give us significance, and to include us in his family!

Today's Prayer

Almighty and loving Father, thank you for paying the cost in Jesus to adopt me into your family and share your grace with me. I praise you for your holiness. I praise you for your might. I praise you for your work in history. I praise you for your love, justice, mercy, and righteousness. I praise you for redeeming your people and keeping your promises. I praise you, O God, because you are worthy of all praise. In Jesus' name, I offer up my thanks and praise. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 15:29-31
  • Psalm 8:1-2
  • Matthew 11:2-6

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 21:14-17 NLT — "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'"

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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