What Jesus Did! 'Brutality and Grief' — Mark 6:25-29

Sunday, April 14, 2024

So [Herod's daughter] hurried back to the king and told him, "I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!"

Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn't refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John's head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison, brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother. When John's disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.

— Mark 6:25-29 NLT

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 and conditions that lead to such inhumanity and brutality. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Shameful
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Herodias's chance [for vengeance against John] finally came on Herod's birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and..."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 6:25-29 NLT — "I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 14, 2024

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Revelation 22:17
"Jesus says, "take freely." He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from our virtuous emotions. If you have no good feelings, if..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Seek God with All Your Heart and You’ll Find Him'
"Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Luke 11:13
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spirit-Led Conclusions' (Ac. 15:28)
"[The apostles and elders in Jerusalem writing to Gentile Christians:] "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than..."

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!