July 18, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
Mark 10 (NIV)
Divorce
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.…..Continue Reading
Here we go. Pharisees. Trying to trap God in flesh. Once again looking at divorce as a legal issue and not spiritual. You want chaos in your life. Get divorced and marry again. You want a blessed marriage. Hold your wife’s hand every morning and pray for your marriage. Jesus indignant strong word. As Jesus many times was questioned why you talking to that particular group. As Jesus spends time with children. To have the faith of a child. Never forget telling my grandchildren about someone who did not believe in God. They could not comprehend that thought ! The rich young man. Could not exchange his possessions for a relationship with God. Sounds familiar today. The apostles did not hear when Jesus spoke of his death. They should not have been surprised at the death of Jesus. But totally missed its meaning. James and John. What a question Jesus asks them. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I’m baptized with? Should have really thought before given an answer. This blind beggar singled out as he calls out. Son of David. Recognizing that Jesus was the messiah. That faith brought him healing.
Christians must be like little children, trusting in God our Father and believing what he says to be true. Jesus tells his disciples what is going to happen to him. It must have been very distrubing to them to hear this and so they hardened their hearts to it. James and John – “we want you to do for us whatever we ask”. Well that’s a bold statement! Especially regarding what they were asking for. Let us not tell God what he must do for us. When we ask for something, let us end the prayer with “let your will be done Father because you, and only you, know what is best for me and you will work out all things for my good”.
Mark 10
Mark 10
This chapter is a lot about Jesus going against social convention. The Jews made divorce easy. God cares about marriage and understands the importance of people committing themselves together to make it work. Otherwise life would be about walking on egg shells wondering when someone is going to leave. Far better to have another be with us in the thick and thin as we are with them. Children were second class citizens, if even that, and yet Jesus holds them up as a model of how all of us should be as we approach God. Simple faith comes from such as these. And to the Jews, if anyone had God’s hand on them, it must be the wealthy. That is why, after the Jesus is dismissive of the rich young man, the disciples ask, then who can be saved? And Jesus is not supporting here eternal life coming from the law, but since the rich young man thought it was, Jesus needed to show him what he lacked. And Jesus talking about His death is not what they expected but Jesus is diligent about them being prepared. But they would expect to have some position with Him when He came into his (earthly for them) kingdom. And yet Jesus let’s them know that is not how this works. He is beyond any ruler they could imagine so those positions are not for them. And people want to silence the blind man, but Jesus says come. And in this case heals him without putting a finger on him. But affirming it is his faith (in Jesus) that saved him.
Mark 10; Romans 15-16
Mark 10
Believing and trusting in God like a young child is not easy to do—so many conflicting ideas in life, but the innocence of a young child looking up hopefully is what God would have us be. It’s good to be reminded of that. God is our good, good father and knows what’s best for us.
Mark 10
Mark 10
Jesus makes it clear that for someone to get saved they must come as a little child. That is in complete trust and faith in the one they are putting it in. This leaves out any pride one may have in themselves. Simple faith putting complete trust in Jesus as our Saviour. Jesus makes it again clear with the young ruler that no one is good, only God is. To think that a person can earn their own salvation is an insult to God. Jesus said on the cross that it is finished. He paid the full penalty of sin once for all. No more sacrifices need to be made. Heb. 10:12 {But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.} Titus 3:5 {Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.} This simple faith is also what we should use when we walk with Jesus every day. Because it is placed in Him. He knows better than we do. We in ourselves will only make a mess of things. Prov. 3:5,6. {Trust in the lord with all thine heart and lean not onto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.} God bless as we walk with Him.
Jesus really is teaching against the grain of society for both his time and still today. Discouraging divorce and showing the importance of that commitment you made before God. People don’t enter marriage with the mindset to stick it out through thick and thin but rather an idea that if it is too hard they can just leave. While there are biblical grounds for divorce it shouln’t be an escape clause. He also was teaching the importance of humility and innocence. We regard people based on status and God looks at our hearts. To Him it isn’t how important we seem to man but rather our steadfast faith toward Him and our ability to put others before ourselves that is important. Life instructions made simple so we can be blessed and yet we so often fall into what this world’s path.
Jesus confronts the current social worldview of the time, even among His disciples.
Jesus says marriage is a commitment, divorce is the results of a hard heart.
Children are trusting. They are to be valued and a model of what it means to be a child of God. Jesus was displeased that they were dismissed.
Jesus embraces them and blesses them.
The rich young ruler thought his wealth was his ticket to eternal life, Jesus says sell whatever you have and give to the poor.
His disciples are mystified, “who can be saved?”
The means and the method of entrance into heaven is beyond man, but with God all things are possible.
James and John ask to be seated in glory.
The blind man asks to see.
Interesting contrast.
To ask for notoriety and power is very much like the rulers of this world.
To ask for sight seems like a simple childlike request of the living God…made in faith.
”But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”“
Mark 10:42-45 NKJV
Mamrk 10
Says almost impossible to get to heaven if your rich.But in todays world is it speaking of tyes or actually going into missionary work or serving full.time in the community near and far away?
not sure what you are referring to Linda???
Was speaking of a rich man who eas asked to leave everything behind and join him. He did not do it. I was asking a rich man today what criteria is he to follow???
I see. Well the only criteria for everyone is to believe on Jesus and you will be saved. I believe Jesus did this to the rich man to show if he did want to approach God with works, then he would need to do that work too.
Thank you PASTOR!