What Jesus Did! 'Critical Eyes' — Mark 2:23-24

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

On the Sabbath day, Jesus was walking through some grain fields. Jesus' followers were walking with him. The followers picked some grain {to eat}. The Pharisees saw this and said to Jesus, "Why are your followers doing that? It is against the {Jewish} law to do that on the Sabbath day."
— Mark 2:23-24 NLT
Illustration of Mark 2:23-24 NLT — "Why are your followers doing that? It is against the {Jewish} law to do that on the Sabbath day."

Key Thought

There are some who watch others who are committed to Christ only trying to find fault in them. Critical sniping at Jesus' followers—"nit-picky-ness" as I call it—is not a virtue. Jesus condemns judging others' hearts on the basis of traditions and from a harsh spirit, looking to catch them in minor points of law. The way we judge others is then the standard of judgment used on us by God. As Christians, we have been liberated from law-keeping; let's also liberate ourselves from a harsh, judgmental, and nit-picky spirit. May the spirit that made some of the Pharisees so harsh not be found among us!

Today's Prayer

Holy God, forgive me and help me leave behind a critical, harsh spirit of judgment. Teach me to be gracious and never let my faith get lost in Pharisaism. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 7:1-5
  • James 2:12-13
  • Galatians 5:1

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

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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