What Jesus Did! 'Condemning Eyes' — Mark 3:2

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
— Mark 3:2 NLT

Key Thought

The opposites of Jesus' compassionate eyes (see Mark 3:1 and yesterday's devotional) were the condemning and critical eyes of Jesus' opponents. They were looking to use the occasion of this man's healing on the Sabbath to be the basis of their arrest and condemnation of Jesus. In other words, the man's humanity was forgotten; he was no more than a prop for the opponents of Jesus to use in their drama of anti-Jesus hatred. If we are honest with ourselves, we'll recognize that we can get so caught up in justifying, defending, and protecting our religiosity that we become blind to the needs of those around us for God's grace. Truth is then abandoned in the name of preservation. God forbid that it should ever be so in us!

Today's Prayer

Father, please don't let me ever become so focused on my religious self-preservation that I forget my search for your truth and abandon the character of your Son. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 9:1-3
  • John 5:39-44
  • John 8:1-11

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, February 13, 2020

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Get This Please!'
"Dear Disciple, Don't miss this truth: "The Son of Man didn't come to ruin the lives of people, but He came to liberate them." No matter what happens...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Adoniram Judson:
"The future is as bright as the promises of God."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The LORD Loves Justice' (Ps. 11:7)
"For the righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see his face."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Worship that Refuses to Be Limited by Low Expectations'
"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth..."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 3:2 NLT — Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

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.

More What Jesus Did!