MARCH 28 - RELIGIOUS LEADERS TRY TO DISCREDIT JESUS
READ Mark 12
The Pharisees and Sadducees attempt to discredit Jesus through treacherous questions.
INSIGHT
In today’s passage, we see one of the most marvelous teachings in the New Testament. An attorney, intrigued by the quality of the answers Jesus gives to the religious leaders who are trying to discredit Him, ask Jesus what the greatest commandment is. He only asks for one; Jesus gives him two. The Lord says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . [and] your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). The Christian life can be very complex, but at its heart, it is very simple: love God and others.
PRAYER
Because the Lord has promised to care for our needs, offer Him your thanks:
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones;
praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make music to him with a ten-stringed harp.
Sing a new song to him;
play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.
For the word of the Lord is right,
and all his work is trustworthy.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love
(Psalm 33:1-5).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil cannot dwell with you (Psalm 5:4).
He will again have compassion on us;
he will vanquish our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (Based on 2 Peter 3:18).
The Pharisees and Sadducees attempt to discredit Jesus through treacherous questions.
INSIGHT
In today’s passage, we see one of the most marvelous teachings in the New Testament. An attorney, intrigued by the quality of the answers Jesus gives to the religious leaders who are trying to discredit Him, ask Jesus what the greatest commandment is. He only asks for one; Jesus gives him two. The Lord says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . [and] your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). The Christian life can be very complex, but at its heart, it is very simple: love God and others.
PRAYER
Because the Lord has promised to care for our needs, offer Him your thanks:
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones;
praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make music to him with a ten-stringed harp.
Sing a new song to him;
play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.
For the word of the Lord is right,
and all his work is trustworthy.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love
(Psalm 33:1-5).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil cannot dwell with you (Psalm 5:4).
He will again have compassion on us;
he will vanquish our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Your development of a perspective on life
- Your own personal goals and spiritual growth
- Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (Based on 2 Peter 3:18).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.