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Stay Married

5/20/2024

Mark 10:10-12 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about divorce. 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.”

Matthew adds this to the disciples’ remarks:

Matthew 19:10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

DO you think Jesus is realistic? It seems the disciples were wondering, “Why do you speak so harshly against divorce?”
   To their point, divorce was common in Israel as it has been common throughout world history. If remarriage made one guilty of adultery, this was a capital crime! From the disciples’ view it’s easy to understand why they said, “It is better not to marry.” How do we understand Jesus’ words?
   It helps us to know divorce came into the world just as murder, theft and idolatry came. People turned from God and fixed their eyes on themselves and their own desires. Jesus’ commands are aimed at the world view that people too casually divorce to satisfy sensual pleasures and selfish desires. Marriage becomes as a used car no longer suitable for our purposes. Instead of tender care to restore and make new, we are quick to walk away and “trade it” for something of perceived higher value. Jesus taught that a convenient, casual view of marriage is as an adulterer who rejects his/her God-ordained holy relationship for immediate pleasure.
   This teaching may have also disturbed the disciples because Jesus gave women equal standing with men. The Romans understood women had rights, but the Jews did not. When he taught that a man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her Jesus elevated women to the same status as men. Men had the privilege of divorce, often taking any property the woman had brought into the marriage. In God’s view any man or woman who initiated a divorce of convenience was worthy of death.
   This is always a hard teaching, seldom confronted in the church. Many of you are divorced for appropriate reasons. You have remarried and have godly relationships. Is this appropriate in God’s will?
   It is if you are following the gospel’s power to heal and redeem. If we allow the past to control today, we will find no satisfaction in God’s redemptive Spirit. Live now and toward the future in his Word. Set your marriage as an example of Jesus’ lifeblood for your family and the church

Divorce Permitted?

5/19/2024

Mark 10:1-9 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. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

THIS and the next lesson focus on the Pharisees’ question, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” The question was loaded with danger to Jesus and his ministry.
   Jesus had traveled from Capernaum, and he was going toward Jerusalem and toward the cross. He was in the area John the Baptist specifically preached to Herod the Tetrarch, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:18) That preaching ultimately caused his death. The Pharisees hoped Jesus’ answer would lead to a similar fate. The Evil One is always raging against the Holy One.
   Another obstacle to Jesus’ answer is in God’s Word. Because Jesus, the Son of God, is the Word, his answer could challenge the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus first referred to the law that instructed the people on particular restrictions regarding divorce. Divorce was widespread among all people. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Moses did not permit divorce. Instead, the law was to guide one’s behavior in response to divorce. God’s divorce laws were given to minimize the damage to relationships and prevent a casual view of marriage.
   Jesus reminds us divorce is against God’s will commanded at creation. It breaks God’s’ holy marriage command he set for mankind at Adam’s and Eve’s union (Genesis 2:24). Jesus could have given further evidence that God hates divorce if he had quoted Malachi 2:16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of hosts. “So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” Divorce is a rebellion against the LORD and the one divorced.
Anything that corrupts God’s pure intent for marriage corrupts mankind. Divorce done on a whim or at the convenience of one party destroys families, infects the church and weakens a nation’s foundation. We can excuse divorce with as many reasons as our minds can create. But we must treat marriage as a holy union and do all we can to strengthen it.

Salted in Jesus

5/18/2024

Mark 9:49-50 “Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

SALT in Scripture is an image of commitment, value and purity. Ancient treaties were salted to preserve the promise. When Jesus said, “You are he salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13a), he spoke a significant distinction between those who follow him and those who do not. His disciples are people of promise to him and to the world. As salt is essential for life, a disciple is essential to teach the world of kingdom life.
   Another reason Jesus connected discipleship to salt is that God had commanded salt to be part of a pure sacrifice: Leviticus 2:13 Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings. Disciples sacrificially offer their lives to Jesus. How, then, does one become salt of the earth – a pure, sacrificial person of promise for the Lord Jesus Christ?
   Jesus answered our question: “Everyone will be salted with fire.” Everyone refers to all disciples. All disciples will become salt when purified with fire.
   Purifying fire impacts a disciple’s life in several forms. For one, your life changes when the Spirit’s fire redeems you into faith. Matthew 3:11 (John said) “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” The Spirit purifies you for service through a growing relationship with Jesus.
   Sometimes that relationship grows through trials: 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. When things threaten you, look to God to see his Sovereign protecting and strengthening you.
   Jesus commands you, “Have salt in yourselves.” He wants you to have pure, sacrificial lives, so you will, “Be at peace with each other.”
          Discipleship is a battle. The world threatens to pull you into its chaos. It’s easy to be discouraged, even as you understand God’s presence is with you. Be confident you will be good, refined and flavorful salt to reveal God’s love to the world.

Build Faith

5/17/2024

Mark 9:42-48 “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into Hell, 48 where “their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

(Note: Verses 44 and 46 are not in most modern translations because they were not in original manuscripts.)

IT is very unlikely any of us would use this passage to evangelize the gospel. Unbelievers would be shocked to hear our Lord teaches with such shocking words. This is far from the “Jesus loves everyone.” doctrine.
   But first, you can know Jesus was not preaching self-mutilation. The Father, Son and Spirit had watched sin cut away God’s blessings and promises from Israel and from the world. Jesus knew that he could only redeem sin’s cutting off penalty by going to the cross to be cut off from the Father for three days in a grave.
   That’s why God will not waiver. With harsh penalties he will condemn sin and those who cause others to sin. A millstone is a very large stone used to grind grains. One pays a maximum price for keeping children from the gospel. What terror awaits those who hide God from a child’s heart!
   Long ago God stressed the vital need to teach our children. Moses admonished, “Hear O Israel the commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) The culture of Christ must be in your home. Failure to place them as your home’s priority is a faith failure that can lead to eternal hell.
   In a like manner the Word must be continually present in the church. Yes, this is a challenge in most churches. We know it is far too common for “churches” to lead people from God into the culture. Children can also mean people new in faith. Both new and longtime believers must learn the truth.
   God’s grace and love is not a soft, flexible line between good and evil. Jesus teaches it is a very sure, hard line. In the Spirit’s power, stay on God’s side of the line. Help others to do the same. Pray for the gospel to change our children’s lives. Help them know the truth.

A Cup of Water

5/16/2024

Mark 9:41 “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”

JESUS had just affirmed that a man who was healing in his name was for us. To live and minister in Jesus’ name defines a true disciple. What does it mean to do so?
   The saving power of Jesus’ name became evident in Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost. Peter called the crowd to, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38, 41)
   Later, when the apostles questioned Paul’s conversion, Barnabas defended Paul, saying he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27) The power of Jesus’ name was also evident to the ruling Jews. Releasing John and Peter from the “crime” of healing in Jesus’ name, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (Acts 5:40) In other Scriptures the name of Jesus is simply referred to as the Name. 3 John 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.
   John says that unbelievers will not help the true disciples. True disciples – Jesus’ true church – must help one another. True disciples speak his name with reverence, joy, submission and love because of his gracious care on our lives. We must be willing to serve and care for each other with a cup of water.
   A cup of water is a sign of gracious hospitality. In some regions of Israel and in the Middle East water was scarce. It required great effort to dig a well or walk miles for the day’s water. This is still true for some of you reading this, and it is true for millions around the world. How precious is a good drink of fresh water!
   When we read Genesis, we learn a “cup of water” welcomed Moses, Isaac and Jacob into the next phase of their God-ordained lives. John 4 tells us a cup of water opened a Samaritan village to Jesus’ salvation. Giving a cup of water is the demonstration of life-giving, nurturing care for your fellow Christian. How precious it is to care for each other.
   When Jesus said that all who help the disciples in his name will certainly not lose his reward, he affirms their works are a sign of their salvation. Helping and welcoming other Christians does not save us. It affirms our life is a response to our redeemed relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ church is to unite in our service to each other. 1 Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
   Be a disciple. Honor Jesus’ salvation gift to you by honoring each other.

Consider how kind Jesus is to save you. Be kind to his own.

Be One in Christ

5/15/2024

Mark 9:38-40 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.”

JOHN spoke for the disciples. Why did they attempt to stop the man who was doing God’s work? Were they jealous? Were they concerned this man was Jesus’ rival?
   Yes, they could have been concerned about the man’s motives. But Jesus points out that this man cannot oppose him as he heals in Jesus’ name. Jesus has been calling his disciples to the kind of faith the man exhibits. He tells them to celebrate the man who is demonstrating kingdom truth. Because he does so, he is “one of us”. People who work together in the King’s name will strengthen the kingdom.
   John’s question reveals two common obstacles that block kingdom progress. John had heard Jesus warn against false teaching, so he questioned this man’s motives. There were many in Israel who had preached about the kingdom. Most of them were false prophets. One reason the Pharisees were suspicious of Jesus’ motives is the regular appearance of self-proclaimed Messiahs and prophets of God. Sometimes what seemed to come from God was demonic opposition to him. There is an example of this in the early church: Acts 16:16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
   Wasn’t it good she told about Paul’s gospel ministry? It was to a point. But she became such a constant noise Paul could not do his work. In Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the desert, the Bible reveals demonic opposition can disguise itself with Bible words and half-truths. We must be alert.
   Years later John, the experienced apostle, warned against false teachers in 2 John 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
   Jealousy also blocks kingdom work. Were the disciples envious of the man’s gift? The Lord urges us to remember that anyone who is doing his work is for his kingdom. When God’s gifted people live into their purpose, we can rejoice in their success. Be cautious of criticizing other ministries. They may not look the same as the ministry you know. God empowers faithful people with many gifts. Look to other Christians as “one of us”. Rejoice in their work.

Honor the Children

5/14/2024

Mark 9:36-37 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

THIS scripture is often used to underscore Jesus’ expansive love. Contrary to the culture of his time, the Son of God welcomed children. He loved and honored them with his touch and his affirming words.
   Jesus equates honoring the child with honoring him. This honor then transcends to the Father in heaven. When you honor the child, you honor the LORD God, who created the child. What does it mean to honor a child?
   To honor is to respect. This seems a bit backward to many. All children must learn, “Respect your elders.” But honor is essential to a God-centered family. Parents honor a child when they receive the child as God’s gift. They extend that honor with a determined commitment to raise the child in the gospel’s truth. Perhaps one of Scripture’s most common parenting passages is Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. This fundamental principle does not promise a child will never stray. But honoring a child’s mind with God’s Word greatly enhances his opportunity for a godly life.
   Honoring a child with God’s word also requires you obey God’s commands. Teaching’s best method is to live as you speak. Know, teach and live the law with integrity. Honor the Father. Honor his children.
   You also honor a child when you spend time with him to do things he likes. You use these times to teach him some fun ways to use his time. Proper discipline, correcting his mistakes appropriately also honors him. Give a child responsibilities to help care for your home and younger siblings if appropriate. Honor his abilities.
   Honor is also about listening to what your children say. Honor their ideas with thoughtful discussion. Their frank observations can help you be a better parent.
   A father and mother honor their children when the children know you love each other. Children discern when mom and dad have relationship challenges. Work to resolve your issues with competent counseling if necessary. Honor each other with a desire to improve your marriage. Your children will notice.
          To honor a child is not spoiling a child. On the contrary, you love him enough to properly affirm him and guide him to a Christian life. Honor the child. You will honor God.

first in Line

5/13/2024

Mark 9:33-35 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

DOES it upset you when children argue about who’s first? You wonder, “Why can’t they just allow each other to take turns to ‘go first’ without such trouble?” How about you? Are you willing to let others “go first”?
   It is difficult to overcome our natural desire to be first. You want things when you want them. You may have certain ideas about how to manage your business or your church. You want to direct your family to change. What happens if someone tells you, “Wait, you must consider others’ needs, opinions and points-of-view.” Impatience and anger can demand, “Me first!” Your pride pushes you to be first in line because you believe your desires and ways are of utmost importance. After all, you have a right to be happy, to have all you want and to get all you want, don’t you?
   Not according to Jesus. A right life in the kingdom of God begins with a “you first” heart. In the Greek language to serve is to be a slave. One had no rights. You were under everyone’s authority.
   But yet, Jesus has served us with his life: Matthew 20:26 Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
   “To serve and to give,” said Jesus. That’s one reason the “me-first” pharisees despised him. And surely his point surprised the disciples. They hadn’t followed Jesus, so they could be slaves. They wanted to rule!
   We thank God their “me first” mind became “Jesus first.” When beginning an epistle the apostles often began as Peter did here: 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. They identified as Jesus’ servant and served the kingdom with their lives as we are all called to do.
   Be willing to serve with a “you first” heart. This will strengthen your family, community, workplace and church. Many studies of successful, impactful leaders reveal that it is their willingness to listen to those around them with a servant’s heart. They want to learn how each person in their organization can use his and her skills for the common good. Prideful “me first” arrogance leads to division and destruction.
   A biblical example of this is the story of Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 10. He succeeded his father Solomon as Israel’s king. His arrogance rejected his elders’ good advice to have an attitude of service to his people. As a result the powerful united Israel became a divided country and eventually a destroyed nation.
   God wants you to be a servant disciple. Serve his kingdom with a humble and loving heart: 1 John 4:20b Anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. John wants you to know that a loving attitude toward everyone is essential for your right relationship with God and each other. After all, these are the two great commands, aren’t they? (Matthew 22:37-39)
   A heart anchored in God is a heart strengthened to be a slave for the kingdom’s good.

Private Talk

5/12/2024

Mark 9:30-32 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

HAVE you ever been in a circumstance where you had to learn something very important, and you had little time to do so? Essential information at a critical moment can impact your life for a very long time.
   Jesus repeatedly told the disciples a “need to know now” truth to prepare them for his life-altering death and resurrection. As we read in Mark 8, Jesus had told them once before. Jesus had also told James, Peter and John on their return from Jesus’ Transfiguration. And still, “They did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.”
   What prevented their understanding? Could it be the same reason you don’t understand the Bible and are afraid to ask? Is it possible we do not understand Scripture because it so clear and precise? In other words, do you do not understand what God teaches because you don’t want to know?
   Sometimes God’s truth directs us to places we don’t want to go, especially confession of our sin. The unrepentant heart sees God clearly yet refuses to understand him. The apostle Paul says it this way: Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
   The essence of Paul’s teaching is that there is naturally a great chasm between our minds and God’s mind. When God’s righteousness confronts us, we respond, “I don’t want to hear that, Lord! it reveals my sin.” To know what God tells us often means we know we must change the way we think and live. We prefer to not understand what he meant, to be afraid to ask him about it.
   The disciples’ complete, knowing relationship with Jesus was not possible until they understood what he meant by rising from the dead. Failure to seek and know the truth even delayed their full, devoted response to Jesus’ resurrection.
   Many false ideas and idolatrous practices have corrupted Jesus’ church because false disciples did not understand what the Bible means. Guard against a stout heart that says, “I don’t want to know.” Resist the misunderstandings. Seek the truth. Receive God’s Word, plainly written for you.

Deliverance

5/11/2024

Mark 9:26-29 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

PRAYER becomes powerful when it is your persistent weapon against penetrating evil. The demon had grossly disturbed the boy’s health and behavior. Its violent reaction to Jesus’ presence illustrates our sin nature’s great discord against God’s Word. To avoid God’s commands, the human race throws itself into all types of convulsions. The apostle Paul listed some of these in Galatians 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions. Sin casts us into fear and keeps us from Jesus’ blessed fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
   Jesus once more used this healing as an opportunity to show the unbelieving generation (v.19) their Lord had come to save them. The crowd watched the healing. They heard the evil spirit shriek, and they saw the boy become still as death. Sin is angry when righteousness commands it to go.
   Then joyfully they watched the Lord take the boy’s hand to help him stand. The God who speaks is the God who comes to you when you pray, “Help my unbelief.”
   Some manuscripts continue with Mark 9:29 “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.” Jesus taught his disciples to be deliberate with their spiritual disciplines. Prayer is an effective means of grace if we purposefully and regularly use it! Effective prayer requires you have a relationship with God. He is your Father. He is your Counselor. He is your Savior. Real communication with him requires you really speak your love to him and listen to his love for you.
   Remember, being a “disciple” is about “discipline”. The disciplined life of prayer leads you into a more personal communication with the holy Trinity. The God who speaks wants you to speak to him. As he did that day before the crowd, the teachers, the father and the disciples, the Living Christ wants to glorify his name as he answers your petitions and praises.
   The apostles would learn Jesus’ lesson. Prayer became one of the marks of the early church: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Prayer opened the door to God’s power then, and it does so today. You won’t see the Lord respond to you until you respond to him. Seek God and say, “I believe.”

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Proclaiming God’s Favor in the Power of His Word
2 Cor 6:3 I tell you, now is the time of God's favor,
now is the day of salvation.