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

  • Mark 3:1-6
  • Proverbs 25:26
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33

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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.

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.

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