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

Sunday, April 25, 2021

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

  • Matthew 11:3-5
  • Matthew 14:13-14
  • Matthew 13:13-15

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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."

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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