When the two men were leaving, some people brought another man to Jesus. This man could not talk because he had a demon inside him. Jesus forced the demon to leave the man. Then the man that couldn't talk was able to speak. The people were amazed and said, "We have never seen anything like this in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "The leader of demons (the devil) is the one that gives him (Jesus) power to force demons out."
— 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, and the most religiously-committed people of the day reject him and accuse 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. Neither was right, but the crowd was 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
- Matt. 11:3-5
- Matt. 14:13-14
- Matt. 13:13-15
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.
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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