What Jesus Did! 'Blinded by Religious Prejudice' — Matthew 9:32-34

Friday, April 25, 2025

When [the two blind men who had been healed] left, a demon-possessed man who couldn't speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. "Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!" they exclaimed.

But the Pharisees said, "He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons."

— Matthew 9:32-34 NLT

Key Thought

This passage reminds me of how horrifyingly easy it is to lose sight of truth in the search to preserve my religion. Here was Jesus Christ, Son of God, Immanuel, but the most religiously-committed people of the day rejected him and accused him of being from Satan. But the people - the everyday folks who did not have all the ecclesiastical training and religious indoctrination - recognized him as something special (Matthew 9:26, 31). Neither the religious leaders nor the people were right, but the people were less wrong. I must always remain humble and focused on Jesus if I am to know what God's truth really is. Jesus is, after all, the key that opens up the meaning of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 1:1-8; Hebrews 1:1-3).

Today's Prayer

Holy and compassionate God, forgive me when I've been too narrow and correct me when I've been too loose with your will. I want to help all different kinds of people know that the Kingdom is open to them, but I don't want to lower your standards and cheapen your grace. Help me find in Jesus the balance needed to share your truth with courtesy, integrity, and respect. In Jesus, your ultimate Word, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 9:32-34 NLT — "Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!" —— "He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, April 25, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Walking in the Light of Grace'
"Dear Beloved, I came to your world to be God among you and die as the atoning sacrifice for your sins. However, My ministry for you did not end with...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Matthew 12:15
"What a mass of hideous sickness must have thrust itself under the eye of Jesus! Yet we read not that he was disgusted, but patiently waited on every....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Those Whose Heart is Completely His' (2 Ch. 16:9)
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

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!