Daily Bible Reading – September 2023, God’s Saving Word: WisdomSampel

September 8

Introduction

Jesus heals a man who is blind and unable to speak. This prompts the religious leaders to challenge Jesus’s authority, claiming that his source of power is demonic. They fail to recognize that God’s Spirit is at work in Jesus to do God’s will. The reading concludes with Jesus issuing a series of warnings about evil and Judgment Day.

Scripture Reading

Matthew 12:22-37

Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 12:30a

[Jesus said:] “Anyone who is not for me is really against me.”

Reflect

Verses 22-24 indicate the belief at that time that illness was caused by demons or evil spirits. The crowd that witnesses Jesus healing the man is amazed; yet the religious leaders challenge Jesus’s source of power. How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees (verses 25-28)? What is Jesus’s source of power (verse 28)? Reread verses 33-37. How do you interpret Jesus’s statement, “A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears”?

Pray

Dear Jesus, your power comes from God’s Spirit, and you have ushered in the Kingdom of God. Help me to bear "good fruit" to extend your Kingdom and proclaim your salvation and forgiveness of sin through my words and deeds this day. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Matthew 12:38-50: Jesus redefines the meaning of family.