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

Monday, July 20, 2026

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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Look Closely at the Evidence!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Seeker, My words have always provoked strong reactions! I do not leave people any middle ground for their decision about Me. There is no "safe"...."
The Good Shepherd
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Few passages of Scripture were more beloved in My time on earth than the twenty-third Psalm. Like in your day, many found great..."

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?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, July 20, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Undaunted!'
"Dear Faithful Follower, Yesterday, I asked you to read about the paralyzed man that I healed through Peter and John. I wanted you to see the..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'There is No Other!' (Is. 45:18)
"For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God's Grace Is for Everyone!' (Acts 10:34-35)
"[When Cornelius told Peter about his vision instructing him to send for Peter,] Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In....."

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.

More What Jesus Did!