What Jesus Did! 'Not One of Us!' — Mark 9:38

Sunday, June 23, 2024

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

Read More
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group."
— Mark 9:38 NLT

Key Thought

Isn't it amazing how quickly we can split up into our cliques and begin arrogantly doing, as a group, what Jesus had just challenged his disciples not to do as individuals? He told them that the greatest must be a servant to all (Mark 9:30-37). We all want to picture ourselves as "insiders" in the Kingdom of God — those who are righteously superior, correct, rightfully included. When others appear to be doing God's good work, we feel threatened rather than delighted. How shallow, how petty, and how un-Jesus, such arrogance is! God forgive us and change us from our small and selfish ways.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, I love you. However, I have to admit that I frustrate myself with my own selfish and petty loyalties and pride, even though I hate those traits in others. I need your help, Father, to hate them in myself and remove them from my own heart. Please help me be more open, just as your Son was while on the earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 15:5-7
  • James 3:17
  • 1 Peter 5:14

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, June 23, 2024

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Disciple, Some of Paul's language in his letter to the Galatians is harsh. He begins his letter without his normal prayer of thanksgiving for..."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? "
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:38 NLT — John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group."

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.