Deep Clean - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2025

Bible in a Year : 2 Samuel 12-13, Luke 16

[Jesus said], “First clean the inside of the cup.”
Matthew 23:26

Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 23:23-26

On a frigid November day, our church hoped to fill two hundred backpacks for the homeless. Preparing to help fill them, I sorted through the items donated, praying to find new gloves, hats, socks, blankets. Bowls of soup and sandwiches would also be shared with those who were to receive the gifts. Then I noticed an item that surprised me: soap. I’d been focusing on helping people stay warm and fed. Someone had remembered to help our recipients feel clean.

The Bible speaks about another kind of ‘clean’—cleanliness of heart and spirit. Jesus pointed this out as He decried the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. They kept the smallest requirements of the law, but “neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). Christ told them, “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (vv. 25-26).

Acting as if we are spiritually spotless is just a show if we don’t seek the cleansing found in Christ. “What can wash away my sin?” asks an old gospel song. “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” New soap can be a gift to wash us on the outside. Jesus cleans us on the inside, washing away even the worst of our sins.

By: Patricia Raybon

Reflect & Pray
Where do you need spiritual deep-cleaning? How can you pray for Christ to cleanse you today?

Please clean me spiritually on the inside, dear Jesus.