What Jesus Did! 'Baiting Another Trap?' — Mark 12:13

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.
— Mark 12:13 NLT

Key Thought

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." This occasion was one where this old saying was true. The Pharisees didn't get along with supporters of Herod. In fact, they distrusted them and believed them to be unfaithful to God, the Jewish people, and the Torah. Their hatred of Jesus was so great that they compromised their principles and partnered with people they couldn't stand but who also wanted to eliminate Jesus. [1] Let's pray that we never find ourselves doing such a thing. If we are tempted to do so, let's re-evaluate our position. When we start making allies out of those who compromise and trade away what we hold dear, the problem does not lie with someone else we both loathe, but something within us.

[1] Mark 3:6.

Today's Prayer

O God, please help me see my own moral failings, character defects, and compromises of principle more clearly. Give me courage to stand for holiness, especially in those situations when it seems to be the most difficult and painful choice. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Seeing Right Through Their Ways
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. "Teacher," they..."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 12:13 NLT — Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Mark Wiley:
"Many times disillusionment comes simply because our circumstances don't fit our concept of who God is and how He works."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Principle of Three' (Acts 10:14-16)
""No, Lord," Peter declared [after being told in his vision to eat unclean things]. "I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Matthew 19:16
"If the young man in the gospel used this title in speaking to our Lord, how much more fitly may I thus address him! He is indeed my Master in both..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Following His Example' (2 Co. 6:1-11)
"Dear Father, blessed bestower of grace, As your servant I commend myself to you as your will may require: Through great endurance, if need 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!