Title: Gospel of Mark: I Might?
Scripture: Mark 10:1-16
Date: 02-25-2024
Bible Version: NKJV
BOTTOM LINE: As followers of Christ, we have to remember that marriage is about commitment, not curiosity.
Our marriages are built on “I DO” not on “I MIGHT”.
Marriage and divorce (vv. 1-12)
[Mar 10:1 NKJV] Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan- Over the past few weeks, we have seen Jesus in the area around Capernaum (North side of Sea Galilee). His ministry in Galilee was complete. As he continued towards Jerusalem, we see Jesus and the disciples head south through Samaria to the region of Judea.
multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.- Wherever Jesus went there always seemed to be a group of people who gathered around Him. We can see that He taught them again.
[Mar 10:2 NKJV] The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce [his] wife?” testing Him.
Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce [his] wife?” testing Him.- Some Pharisees came over to ask Jesus a controversial question. Their intention was to test Him. We have to keep in mind that this district was ruled by Herod Antipas. This was the area where John the Baptist was beheaded. John preached against Herod’s adulterous marriage (Mark 6:14-29). It was clear that the Pharisees wanted to try to trap Jesus. This perhaps sets up the ‘why’ behind the question.
[Mar 10:3 NKJV] And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”.- Jesus asked them what Moses commanded them on this subject.
[Mar 10:4 NKJV] They said, “Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss [her].”
They said, “Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss [her].- Jesus did not wade into opinion but rather the Word of God. Jesus went to the heart of the matter in Deuteronomy 24:1
[Deu 24:1 NKJV] “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts [it] in her hand, and sends her out of his house,
divorce - The term means to send away
School of Shammai:
- Very conservative
- Divorce could be granted only in the case of uncleanliness (sexual immorality) based on Deuteronomy 24.
School of Hillel:
- Very liberal
- Believed uncleanliness was much broader than adultery and could refer to a wife simply putting too much salt on her husband’s eggs, causing him to lose his temper and making him sin (which we all know is unclean).
[Mar 10:5 NKJV] And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
They said, “Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss [her].- Jesus indicates that this precept (law) was written because of the hardness of their heart. A certificate was issued in order to provide a degree of protection for the woman. Without it, she would be considered an outcast in society.
[Mar 10:6 NKJV] “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’
But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female’- Jesus redirected them back to the Word. He refocused the conversation away from divorce and to the topic of marriage. God made both male and female, and He also created the institution of marriage. A marriage involves a male and a female. God’s purpose for marriage is to bring Him glory. It is a permanent bond between male and female. It is a covenant with God.
The Pharisees had become so consumed with the question of divorce that they’d forgotten God’s design for marriage as revealed in God’s Word. —Tony Evans
When we experience difficulty in our marriage, we should review God’s rules, not ours.
Jesus asserted God’s ownership over marriage; it is God’s institution, not man’s, so His rules apply. —David Guzik
[Mar 10:7 NKJV] ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife- Marriage is not about a husband bringing his bride into his family. He and his wife are to be joined together in oneness. A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.
[Mar 10:8 NKJV] ‘and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
and the two shall become one flesh- The idea here is gluing something together. When a man and a woman marry they forsake their singleness and commit to oneness.
The problem was not that they did not understand the law about divorce. The problem was that they did not understand what God said about marriage. —David Guzik
[Mar 10:9 NKJV] “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate- Jesus states that people are not to separate or demise the lifelong commitment that has been established by God. Man can’t separate what God has joined together.
Marriage is not a social contract, it is a spiritual contract that is binding before God.
Physical oneness produces a union unlike any other on earth. Only death terminates this union. —D.L. Moody
[Mar 10:10 NKJV] In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same [matter].
His disciples also asked Him again about the same [matter]- Jesus followed up on His discussion about divorce and remarriage with the disciples.
Jesus indicated that God did permit (not command) divorce in the case of sexual immorality. —David Guzik
[Mar 10:11 NKJV] So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
[Mar 10:12 NKJV] “And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her…
if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.
-Jesus provides a direct answer to the disciples concerning the topic of divorce and remarriage. It would first appear that any man or woman who divorces their spouse commits adultery. The Bible gets very technical on this. If we also consider Matthew 19:9 (Matthews record of this encounter and teaching) we can glean a bit more information. It is important to consult the full counsel of God.
[Mat 19:9 NKJV] “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
With this answer, Jesus interpreted the meaning of the word unclean in Deuteronomy 24:1, showing that divorce (and the freedom to remarry) was only permitted in the case of sexual immorality. —David Guzik
Our human emotions, likes, and dislikes cannot be the grounds of divorce. Our marriage is a binding promise made to our spouse, it includes God and is observed by a watching world.
Jesus and the children (vv. 13-16)
[Mar 10:13 NKJV] Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought [them].
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought [them]- Even after Jesus taught the disciples about the value of children (Mark 9), we find that the disciples quickly forgot about that and rebuked these children.
[Mar 10:14 NKJV] But when Jesus saw [it], He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them- Jesus expressed his displeasure to them and said to not forbid the children coming to Him.
[Mar 10:15 NKJV] “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”- Jesus says that we must receive the kingdom of God as a child.
The reason Jesus valued children so highly is because they are a model of what it takes for someone to come to God….When they put their trust in someone, they do it wholeheartedly and with humility. —Tony Evans
[Mar 10:16 NKJV] And He took them up in His arms, laid [His] hands on them, and blessed them.
He took them up in His arms, laid [His] hands on them, and blessed them- At this point, Jesus blessed the children.
You can’t find happiness, fulfillment, and joy just looking around; You find them in a real relationship with a living God.
Pursue God:
1. Not happiness
2. Not fulfillment
3. Not joy
A Challenge to Change: Are you willing to pray for your marriage? Here is a prayer that you can use this week:
Lord Jesus, we ask for your guidance and wisdom as we navigate the journey of marriage together. Help us to always treat each other with love, kindness, and respect, following the example you set for us in your own life. Teach us to be patient and understanding with one another, and to forgive as you have forgiven us.
Fill our hearts with your love so that we may love each other unconditionally, just as you love us. Help us to prioritize our relationship with you above all else, knowing that when we are rooted in you, our marriage will flourish.
Give us the strength to face any challenges that may come our way, knowing that with you by our side, we can overcome anything. Help us to communicate openly and honestly with each other, always seeking to build each other up and support one another in all that we do.
Lord, we surrender our marriage to you and ask that you bless it abundantly. May our union be a reflection of your love and grace to the world around us. Help us to be a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, pointing them towards you and the abundant life that you offer.
In your precious name, we pray,
Amen.
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