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

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Sevenfold Spirit' (Re. 1:4-5)
"This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come;..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 1:1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'All the People' (Ne. 8:6)
"Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, "Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Zechariah 14:7
"Oftentimes we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the..."

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!