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
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.
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.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. 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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—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
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. 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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