Key Passage
Then one of the twelve apostles went to talk to the leading priests. This was the follower named Judas Iscariot. Judas wanted to give Jesus to them. The leading priests were very happy about this. They promised to pay Judas for doing this. So Judas waited for the best time to give Jesus to them.
— Mark 14:10-11 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
This section of Mark began (in 14:1) with the enemies of Jesus plotting his death. It now ends with one of Jesus’ own close followers offering to betray him to death. How sad! Rather than looking closely at Jesus’ ministry and hearing what he had to say, his enemies were looking for the right time and place to kill him while Judas was looking for a way to betray Jesus. Jealousy and hate blind us to the truth about other people. That is why Jesus is so critical of the religious leaders. Let’s remember that hate always blinds us to the truth about others and closes down our hearts about their true identities and value.
Prayer
O Father, forgive me when I’ve judged the actions of others negatively because of my ill feelings toward them. Lead me gently to love them more generously and fully. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those people that do bad things to you. If you do this, then you will be true sons of your Father in heaven. Your Father lets the sun rise for the good people and the bad people. Your Father sends rain to people that do good and to people that do wrong. If you love only the people that love you, then you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, then you are no better than other people. Even the people without God are nice to their friends. So you must be perfect, the same as your Father in heaven is perfect.
— Matthew 5:43-48
All people will hate you because you follow me. But the person that continues strong until the end will be saved.
— Mark 13:13
People will do all this to you because of me. They don’t know the One who sent me.
— John 15:21
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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