What Jesus Did! 'Premeditation' — Mark 14:1-2

Monday, October 7, 2024

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We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. "But not during the Passover celebration," they agreed, "or the people may riot."
— Mark 14:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' enemies were determined to kill him. However, they knew that Jesus was popular with the people. With Jerusalem flooded with yearly visitors for Passover, a time that was very volatile, they worried that to go after Jesus during this time could backfire. Mark wants us to see that their murder of Jesus on the cross was calculated and premeditated. They were not looking for justice or truth; they were out for blood. Little did they know that the blood they shed would be the atoning blood of the new covenant that would bring our salvation. What they meant for the worst kind of harm, God used for unbelievable good — our good!

Today's Prayer

O Father, I cannot understand how you withheld your power and allowed wicked men to scheme and murder your Son, especially wicked men who claimed to honor you. I am sorry that we can be so misguided and wrong as people. Please forgive us. Please forgive me. I want to believe that I would have followed Jesus and welcomed him, but part of me fears that I might have been as misguided as those wicked men were. Purify my heart and give me wisdom to know and follow your truth always. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Mark 10:2
  • Mark 3:1-6
  • Mark 8:31

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 14:1-2 NLT — "But not during the Passover celebration," —— "or the people may riot."

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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