What Jesus Did! 'Plotting His Death' — John 7:1

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.
— John 7:1 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus stays away from Judea ... at least for now ... until the time is God's time. Jesus will not be hurried or rushed by the agenda of others. He follows God's timetable, not ours or his family's or anyone else's. He concentrated his work on teaching people who needed God's grace and on going to the places that were ready to receive his message. He was wise and prudent even under pressure, and he didn't allow the threats to curtail his service. What a powerful message for us today, especially for those of us who sometimes find ourselves in horrible and challenging circumstances.

Today's Prayer

Give me strength, O God, and a pure heart for my journey to you. Don't let me be deterred by those who would seek to dilute my faith or derail my sense of mission. At the same time, dear Father, please help me honor the people around me with respect. Give me the wisdom to know how to honor those I should honor while remaining true to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Dawn of the New Way: Risen!
Article by Phil Ware
What would it have been like to be Jesus' younger brother? Phil Ware shares insight on James, the brother of Jesus, and how the resurrection completely changed his life and what he believed about Jesus.
'Rubber Meets the Road' Discipleship
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I know that believing in Me is not always easy or natural. So I want to remind you of My half-brother James. My apostle James had been...."
Resurrection 2.5: Sarcastic Ridicule
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus knew the sting of sarcastic ridicule and unbelief from his family Phil Ware continues his Resurrection 2.0 series reminding us this week that Jesus' own family did not believe until after his resurrection.
Family Is Important
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, Family is important. Your spiritual family is important to you. Your physical family is important to you. Family is important to....."
See All 5 Related Resources about John 7:1

Illustration

Illustration of John 7:1 NLT — After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'God's Guarantee Bring Us to Praise Him!'
"The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Isaiah 33:22
"The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Gentiles Were Coming to Christ' (Acts 15:1-3)
"While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: "Unless you are circumcised as..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Supporting Those Who Serve'
"Dear Friend, The support of those who work for Me as their calling and vocation has always been a touchy issue among some of My people. Paul ran into..."

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!