These writings are my own daily thoughts of short passages from the Bible. Follow along and keep me active in writing everyday. Maybe we will make it through the whole Bible.
Mark 10:1~16
People loved Jesus' teachings of the kingdom of God. They came from all over to listen to Jesus teach and held on Jesus' words. One of the key points of the Gospel of Mark is the serving leader as we read later in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." The leaders of the time did not serve the wounded and helpless. Instead they followed Jesus to criticize him and accuse him. The Pharisees are a group who were set apart to serve God, but instead of serving God they looked for reasons to test Jesus. They thought they had a good one and didn't mind interrupting Jesus' teachings of the kingdom of God with this question. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" They seem very progressive in their question, but they were not asking out of a heart to protect the woman or protect the man who is wounded in divorce or the family or children. Jesus replied, "What did Moses command you?" They answered, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away." This is what the Pharisees wanted to do, but they did not understand the heart behind this law. They just wanted to use the law to divorce the wife of their youth.
Jesus answered, "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," It was not the way it was supposed to be, but the Hebrews lived in Egypt for hundreds of years as slaves. Without a law for divorce they would leave a woman whenever they wanted and no one would remarry the woman. At that time there were little rights for women. At least the process of getting a certificate of divorce would make the man think enough and reflect about what he is doing. Jesus said their hearts were hardened. They did not know how to bear with each other or care for each other.
God established marriage in the time of Genesis. Look at verses 6-9. "But at the beginning of creation God ’made them male and female.’ ’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." The marriage relationship was a covenant that two entered and became one. A divorce would be like a surgery separating one from oneself. It is a life threatening surgery but sometimes necessary. Divorce is not to be taken lightly. When Jesus' disciples asked him about this, he said: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Jesus got to the point. People divorce because they can have a relationship with another person. If there was no chance to marry again many people would probably not be so quick to divorce. Adultery is an action, adultery is also a matter of heart. If one's heart is committed to his or her spouse they will not think about satisfying their desires with another.
Those who live in the kingdom of God are like the little children. Their minds are not corrupt and filled with sick ideas. They simply want to be with Jesus and want to be blessed. That is why people brought the little children to Jesus. This is fitting to Jesus' ministry, but his disciples rebuked them. They must have told the parents, "Don't bring all these little kids here. Can't you see that Jesus is busy." It seems even Jesus' disciples were disturbed at the sight of these children. Perhaps the thought of marriage and divorce and children was troubling them so much they didn't want the little children around.
Jesus was indignant about his own disciples' attitude. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." He also said, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Jesus then took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. When Jesus said, "like a little child" he didn't mean to be childish or immature. He meant to be pure in heart. The little children didn't come to test Jesus or to get something from Jesus, they simply wanted to be with Jesus. This is their relationship with God. They trust God and love God and trust that God loves them. A little child loves to hear the voice of their mom or dad. So it is with a little child who comes to Jesus by faith. They have nothing to bring, no money or great talent or works, but they simply come to Jesus and they are blessed. Jesus welcomes them and opens the kingdom of God to little children like these.
Sometimes we feel like we are not good enough or we need to do better and probably we can, but first thing is to come to Jesus like a child. He welcomes us just like we are strengthens and restores us to serve him in his kingdom today. The reason many lose faith and break the marriage covenant is that they lose the heart of a child. They lose thanksgiving and joy. There are many things we can do, but the first is to come to Jesus as a little child to be restored. Then Jesus restores our strength, creativity, joy and thanksgiving. We can then bear with our spouses weaknesses and shortcomings and strengthen each other. Without coming to Jesus as a little child any marriage is in danger. Some think a life in Jesus is boring, but there is a spark of excitement as a little child looks on life for the first time. One who comes to Jesus and repents sees life from the eyes of a child and is full of love and pure sincere trust in God so much that he or she can trust others.
We have work every day beyond our ability, but when we come to Jesus as a little child he welcomes us and makes us strong and wise in the kingdom of God.
Passage Mark 10:1-16
1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"
3 "What did Moses command you?" he replied.
4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."
5 "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied.
6 "But at the beginning of creation God ’made them male and female.’
7 ’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.
11 He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.
14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Cover Photo from trilemedia on Pixabay.