What Jesus Did! 'Hitting the Mark' — Mark 12:12

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story [about the vineyard and the tenant farmers] against them — they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.
— Mark 12:12 NLT

Key Thought

Sadly, rather than repenting when they heard Jesus' story, the leaders resolved more intently to arrest and kill Jesus. [1] Their problem, however, was that Jesus was incredibly well-liked among the people. So the leaders left Jesus and went away. How sad! Salvation, redemption, love, grace, and power were within their grasp, and they turned away. Unfortunately, many people do the same thing today.

[1] Mark 3:6, 11:18.

Today's Prayer

God, my Abba Father, please help me never to leave Jesus. Please help me never to move away from him because I don't want to change my lifestyle, my beliefs, or my comforts to follow him. Give me a heart that seeks after you and your truth no matter the costs. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Healing
Article by Tim Archer
She still couldn't walk, but she was healed in the way that counts A handicapped woman experiences the joy of healing through the forgiveness of sins even though her physical impairment remains.
Beyond Religious Places, Practices, and Rituals
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
We must always remember that God's love for broken people and our call to his mission must matter most. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the deadly consequences of a religion that forgets the love of God for broken people and mission Jesus has for us to the lost world.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 12:12 NLT — But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, August 27, 2024

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Wise Still Worship Me!'
"Dear Precious Follower, David spoke the truth and We — Father, Son, and Spirit — wanted it emphasized, so you will find it included twice..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Jeremiah 2:2
"Let us note that Christ delights to think upon his Church, and to look upon her beauty. As the bird returneth often to its nest, and as the wayfarer....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord Who Provides'
"It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is....."

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!