READING:
One-year plan: Exodus 1–3, Matthew 15:21–16:12
Two-year plan: Genesis 27–28, Matthew 9:27–38
——–
I love this summary statement of what Jesus did in His ministry: “So the crowd was amazed when they saw those unable to speak talking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they gave glory to the God of Israel” (Matt 15:31). What I most love about it is the description of the tragic situation of the person Jesus healed (e.g., “those unable to speak”) followed by one English word that dramatically describes the miracle Jesus worked (e.g., “talking”). Each description follows that same pattern:
- “the crippled” . . . RESTORED
- “the lame” . . . WALKING
- “the blind” . . . SEEING
In essence, they couldn’t . . . but then they could—all because of Jesus.
Jesus still does that, you know. I’ve seen His work evident in the bitter forgiving, the addicted freed, the murderer redeemed, the proud humbled, the weary restored, the broken marriage mended, and the rebellious repentant. Jesus specializes in the “before and after”—and we should give Him glory!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What words would you use to describe your “before” and “after”?
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for Your transforming power.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Exodus 4–7, Matthew 16:13-17:13
Two-year plan: Genesis 29:1-30, Matthew 10:1-15