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

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 15:2
"Observe the condescension of this fact. This Man, who towers above all other men, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners-this Man..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Peter 3:8
"Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'At the Same Time' (Je. 23:23-24)
""Am I a God who is only close at hand?" says the Lord. "No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Be a Living and Holy Sacrifice'
"Dear Beloved, Paul spent the first two-thirds of his letter to the Roman Christians explaining the principle of salvation by grace through faith. In...."

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!