What Jesus Did! 'Brutality and Grief' — Mark 6:27-29

Thursday, April 14, 2016

So the king sent a soldier to cut off John's head and bring it. So the soldier went and cut off John's head in the prison. Then the soldier brought John's head back on a plate. He gave the head to the girl. Then the girl gave the head to her mother. John's followers heard about what happened. So they came and got John's body. They put it in a tomb (grave).
— Mark 6:27-29 NLT
Illustration of Mark 6:27-29 NLT — They put it in a tomb (grave).

Key Thought

We often forget that we have brothers and sisters in Christ who have to face incredible inhumanity and brutality because of their faith, righteousness, and unwavering loyalty to Jesus. Let's use this gruesome reminder of John the Baptist's death to jar us into an acute awareness of our fellow believers world-wide who are suffering and dying for the cause of Christ.

Today's Prayer

O God, my Abba Father, it pains me deeply to think about your precious children who are having to face horribly brutal times because of their faith. Please work in the affairs of our world to bring an end to the regimes that support such inhumanity and brutality. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Timothy 2:1-6
  • Matthew 25:34-40
  • Hebrews 10:32-34

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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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