What Jesus Did! 'Murderous Intentions' — Mark 3:6

Thursday, February 15, 2024

[After Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees about healing on the Sabbath,] the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
— Mark 3:6 NLT

Key Thought

When we get into a defensive posture toward those who disagree with us religiously, we can very quickly find ourselves looking to destroy their argument, destroy their faith, and even destroy their reputation. The Pharisees and the supporters of Herod were bitter enemies. Yet their common hatred of Jesus brought them together to plan what is evil. Hatred and a hard heart go together. Both lead to death - not necessarily the death of the target of our hate, but our own spiritual death. When we find ourselves siding with others who dislike us and when we find ourselves scheming to do what we know is evil, we must immediately be open to God and ask him to change our ways. We must seek his wisdom and his insight into the situation.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous God, please guide me into your truth. I want to honor and serve you with my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I don't want my religious passions to be used to lead me astray. Even more, dear Father, I don't want my religious passions to cause harm to anyone, especially those who are seeking you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 3:6 NLT — [After Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees about healing on the Sabbath,] the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, February 15, 2024

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Fountain of Living Water' (Je. 17:12-13)
"We worship at your throne — eternal, high, and glorious! O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you will be disgraced. They will be...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Treason or Truth?' (Acts 17:6-7)
"Not finding [Paul and Silas, the mob] dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. "Paul and..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Jeremiah 17:14
""I have seen his ways, and will heal him."- Isaiah 57:18 It is the sole prerogative of God to remove spiritual disease. Natural disease may be..."

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!