Today's Verse: Matthew 9:12

Sunday, September 12, 2004

On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
— Matthew 9:12
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Why did Jesus associate with sinners? Because we need him to associate with us! What's the most crucial part of that truth: Jesus' desire to love and save us or our recognition of our need for him in our sinfulness? Of course, the most crucial truth is Jesus' desire to love and save us. Without him, recognizing our sinfulness would only lead us to despair. At the same time, however, if we don't acknowledge our need for Jesus' love and grace, the Lord's sacrifice for us is lost to us. So, let's praise Jesus as our loving and sacrificial Savior as we acknowledge our need for his merciful love and mighty grace!

My Prayer...

Gracious Father, I praise you from the bottom of my heart for providing Jesus as my Savior. At the same time, dear Father, I confess I struggle with sin. I want sin entirely out of my life, yet I find that I cannot rid myself of its constant shadow and its penetrating stain. Without your grace and the love and mercy of Jesus, I know I could not stand before you as your pure child. So, please forgive me for the sins I confess to you now...
As I have received your love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness, please receive my praise for your gracious forgiveness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Call the Doctor
Illustration of Matthew 9:12
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 9:12 -- On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'
Dinner with Sinners
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[After Jesus called Matthew to follow him], Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and....."
Leaving the Classroom and Living the Life
Article by Rick Brown
Sooner or later, we have to leave school and start living what we know! Rick Brown talks about discipleship being more than sitting and learning, it involves going and doing.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 9:12 — On hearing [people complaining he associated with sinful people], Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, September 12, 2004

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'What We Are!' (1 Co. 6:9-11)
"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Blessing and Honor' (Re. 5:13)
"And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Seed of Righteousness' (Ro. 4:13-16)
"Dear Father, father of the faithful, Thank you for the marvelous promise made to Abraham and his seed, that they should inherit the world. Thank you...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Someone Who Has Been with Jesus!' (Acts 1:21-22)
"[Peter said,] "So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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