October 31 - Matthew 19; Mark 10: Jesus on Divorce and Riches

Today’s Reading: Matthew 19; Mark 10

The Message

English Standard Version

Congratulations! You've made it 10 months! Only 2 more to go! Keep going! We also have 15 more days in the life of Jesus.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God was once willing to make concessions in return for obedience. No longer.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus continued healing.
Jesus spoke on divorce: "Don't break what unifies the sexes. Divorce isn't God's Plan. Unless divorced for adultery, remarriage means adultery."
The Disciples objected. Jesus responded, "My Teachings aren't for everyone."
Jesus taught that children made up God's Kingdom.
Jesus told a rich man, "Sell everything you have, give it away, and follow Me to have eternal life." The man left. "Eternal Life only comes with God's helps."
Jesus told James and John He had no control over who sat next to Him in His Glory. He added, "Rule through service."
A blind beggar's faith healed him.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God made marriage to bond two very different people—males and females.

Jesus' interaction with the Pharisees on divorce and adultery gives yet another example of the Pharisees being technically correct but missing the point. God allowed divorce, not because marriages should end but because He knew Israel would not go for it otherwise. God wants to prevent divorces from happening not regulate each and every circumstance to give an up-or-down signal for each situation. God wants couples to be unified in marriage. This is the goal and we should challenge couples struggling with infidelity, abuse, and neglect to be more unified, not separate.

Not everyone can accept Jesus' Teachings.

I almost always like the new ways The Message rewords verses I have read over and over again. Unfortunately, in this case I do not like how He worded Matthew 19:12, "But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it." I realize that He wants to keep the marriage topic throughout; however, I think Jesus is giving a larger-picture saying here. He is telling His Disciples that those who can accept His Teachings should live by them. God's Chosen People live at a higher moral standard than the world. The world may allow divorce for any and every reason. God's Chosen People, on the other hand, do not divorce because its purpose was to bind the two sexes together not provide a social contract.
What does this mean for today? God's Chosen People should not divorce. I have several opinions on why couples break up and what a church should do to help couples before they struggle which I will not go into here; however, with that said, there are many couples who do not stick it out because they are unwilling to make God their Lord. They want to be equal to God—similar to Adam and Eve.
Also, we should not force this upon people who do not want to be God's Chosen People. We should tell them the purpose of marriage and encourage them to put their lives under the auspices of God but until a person wants to set things right with God these laws make no sense. To teach them would be counterproductive to setting things right. I believe that is what Jesus is getting at here, as brought out in the God's Word paraphrase, "If anyone can do what you’ve suggested, then he should do it."

Riches are at war with submission to God.

The rich man who balked at following Jesus did so because he loved his possessions more than he wanted to follow Jesus. It so shook the Disciples that they wondered who could be saved at all! Jesus' answer isn't to deny that any rich person could set things right, but that no one can set things right without God's Help. Riches are not antithetical to obeying God, but they encourage a person to trust themselves instead of God. When a person has little money they must rely on God to provide.

Rulers do not use might to set things right.

I find this story humorous. James and John want to be on Jesus' right and left. The other Apostles are greatly annoyed that they would suggest such a thing (all the while secretly wishing they had the courage to request such a thing, I believe). Jesus plays peacemaker by showing them it wasn't John and James' fault that they wanted this power. Humans love power because it means we can get our way. Jesus wanted His Apostles to know in the Kingdom of God, leadership is not about power over others. Leadership in God's Kingdom is about service to others. Jesus told the Pharisees that the greatest are servants. Leaders do not rule. Leaders serve.

Do you use leadership to rule or serve?

October 21 - Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62: Confirmation of Jesus' Authority

Today’s Reading: Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Jesus receives confirmation of His Authority.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus received confirmation of His Authority before Peter, James, and John. He later cleared confusion around John the Baptizer's role as the second Elijah.
His Apostles lacked sufficient faith to excise a certain demon.
Jesus predicted His betrayal.
He paid the Temple Tax.
The Apostles argued over rank. Jesus taught them that a childlike servant is the pinnacle.
Jesus reminded them that all things done in His Name were acceptable regardless of the source. Harassment of a young believer would be punished.
Jesus set course for Jerusalem. He stopped the Apostles from harming some unaccommodating Samaritans.
Following Jesus required sacrifice.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jesus prepares for His betrayal and death.

He started by telling the Apostles He would suffer and die. In today's reading, He showed the three closest Apostles (Peter, James, and John) confirmation of His Authority. He was shown with Moses, the author of the Law, and Elijah, the second-greatest prophet (to Moses). When Peter offered to build three memorials, God interjected—not anymore; listen to Jesus. Aside from the lapse of judgment each of them had at the crucifixion, this experience would keep their faith strong for the duration of their lives.

The Apostles could not excise the demon because they lacked faith.

The Apostles could not expel the child's demon. When they asked Jesus He gave a cryptic response, "Because you're not yet taking God seriously" (Matthew 17:20, The Message, emphasis original). I'm not sure what all that means, but we can be certain of one thing—Sometimes the only way to set things right is through fasting, prayer, and trust in God.

Those who wish to be the greatest should serve others.

Jesus provides a leadership paradox. If you think about it, managers in offices do not get things done. People on the ground get things done. So any discussion over who is the most important or greatest has to take that into account. Those who serve as small children are the greatest.

Anyone who does something in Jesus' Name (unless it is self-serving) is acceptable to God.

A few days ago we read where Jesus stated those who are not for Him were against Him. Today He elaborates on that a little more—those who set things right, no matter who they are, are blessed for it. I believe this is connected to the next section about bullying childlike believers. Those who disqualify young believers because they are not part of "their" group can cause them to become cynical and abandon any form of community.
This saying is difficult for Christians today. We love our exclusive claim to setting all things right. We want to think of the world in a simple duality: saved (those in the church) and completely and utterly depraved (those in the world). We cannot accept anyone not part of our group setting things right. Inclusion in God's Chosen People is not a prerequisite for setting things right.

Jesus valued peace over principle when it was necessary.

Once again, Jesus foregoes freedom for the sake of peace. The first time He told the man He healed to stop carrying his bed. In this reading, Jesus pays the Temple Tax even though He was the one it was built for. The reason was for peace, to not give them a reason to complain. When dealing with unreasonable people, sometimes it is better to sacrifice principle to preserve peace.

What do you do in the Name of Jesus?