Saturday, February 13
Read Mark 10
Think About It:
Two shall be one (10:1-12). As he usually did, Jesus ignored the current debates and focused attention on the Word of God, in this case the Law of Moses and Deuteronomy 24:1-4. As you study this passage, it is important to know two facts. First, it was the man who divorced the wife, not the wife who divorced the husband, for women did not have this right in Israel. Second, the official “bill of divorce” was given to the wife to declare her status and assure any perspective husband that she was indeed free to remarry. Among the Jews, the question was not “May a divorced woman marry again?”, because remarriage was permitted and even expected. But the question was, “What are the legal grounds for a man to divorce his wife?”
The Law of Moses did not give adultery as grounds for divorce, for in Israel, the adulterer and the adulteress were stoned to death. By giving this allotment of a certificate of divorce to Israel, God was not putting His approval on divorce or even encouraging it. Rather, He was seeking to restrain and make it more difficult for men to dismiss their wives. In Israel it was permitted for a man to divorce his wife for any reason.. He put sufficient regulations around divorce so that the wives would not become victims of their husband’s whims.
Jesus then took them back beyond Moses to the record of the original creation. In the beginning, it was God who established marriage and He has the right to make the rules. According to scripture, marriage is between a man and a woman, not two men or two women, and the relationship is sacred and permanent. It is the most intimate union in the human race, for the two become one flesh.
While the spiritual element is vitally important in marriage, the emphasis here is that marriage is a physical union: the two become one flesh, not one spirit. Since marriage is a physical union, only a physical cause can break it, either death or fornication.
Privately, the Lord further explained the matter to His questioning disciples, who were now convinced that it was a dangerous thing to get married. To remarry after divorce, other than one granted on the grounds of fornication, would make the person guilty of committing adultery, and this is a serious thing. Note that Jesus included the women in his warning, which certainly elevated their status in society and gave them equality of responsibility with the men.
Mark 10:9 warns us that man cannot separate those who have been united in marriage, but God can. Since He established marriage, He has the right to lay down the rules. What God has brought together, let no man separate. A divorce may be legal according to our laws and yet not be right in the eyes of God. He still expects married people to practice commitment to each other (Mark 10:7) and remain true to each other.
Adults should be as children (10:13-16). Why would the disciples rebuke the people and try to keep the children away from Jesus? They probably thought they were doing Him a favor by helping Him protect His time and conserve His strength.
The phrase “much displeased” is too tame. Our Lord actually became indignant as he openly rebuked His disciples for standing in the way. He then announced that children were better kingdom examples than adults. We tell the children to behave like adults, but Jesus tells the adults to model themselves after the children!
The first shall be the last (10:17-31). Behind the good works approach to salvation is a superficial view of sin, man, the Bible, Jesus Christ, and salvation. Sin is rebellion against the Holy God. It is not simply an action; it is an inward attitude that exalts man and defies God. Did this young man actually think that he could do a few religious works and settle his account with the Holy God?
Money is a marvelous servant but a terrible master. If you possess money, be grateful and use it for God’s Glory; but if money possesses you, beware! It is good to have the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things money cannot buy. The deceitfulness of riches had so choked the soil of this young man’s heart that he was unable to receive the good seed of the Word and be saved. What a bitter harvest he would reap one day.
Servants shall be rulers (10:32-35). In the light of our Lord’s announcement of His death, we are embarrassed and ashamed to read James and John asking for thrones. Actually, Salome and her two sons were claiming the promise Jesus had given, that in the future kingdom, the disciples would sit on 12 thrones with the Lord Jesus. (see Matthew 19:28). It actually took a great deal of faith on their part to claim the promise, especially since Jesus had just reminded them of His impending death. The three of them were in agreement, and they had His word to encourage them, so there was no reason why Jesus should not grant their request.
Except for one thing: they were praying selfishly, and God does not answer selfish prayers (James 4:2-3). Like many people today, the disciples were making the mistakes of following the wrong examples. Instead of modeling themselves after Jesus, they were admiring the glory and authority of the Roman rulers, men who loved position and authority. While there is nothing wrong with aspiring to greatness, we must be careful how we define “greatness” and why we want to achieve it. Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be slave of all” (10:43-44).
Family Time:
- In verses 6 and 7, Jesus discusses God’s ideal for marriage. Reread these verses and discuss them as a family.
- Tell what happened when the rich man wanted to “inherit eternal life”. Why did the young man go away sad? Eternal life cannot be bought. We have been given the opportunity to come to Jesus on His terms. He already paid the price. What are those terms?
- In this chapter, Jesus tells His disciples for the third time, about His soon-to-happen death. This time He speaks with details. Read again verses 33 and 34; describe those details. What questions do you think you would have had if you had been there?
