Mark 10:1-31
Today's passage reads like a tabloid: Divorce, Kids, Riches!
So far, I have simply been reminded of how so many people came to Jesus looking for direction in life - a new way to live that made sense of reality. Even in this section, the Pharisees are testing Him, but they are asking questions that everyone was thinking - though not because they were trying to trick Jesus. The disciples are realizing that Jesus loves kids and wants to bless them. Then a rich man asks how to enter Heaven.
Not to make this post too long, but I do want to comment on the first section regarding divorce. This is a major issue in churches. Current statistics say that the divorce rate among Christians is the same as divorce rates among non-Christians. I think Jesus' sentiment is appropriate for today's culture. "Moses wrote that law because of your hard hearts."
God created us to be in a lifelong relationship. Our own sinfulness is the cause of divorce; it is not God's intention. Grace offered to those who have been through a divorce is vital among the community of faith, but we must make it clear that divorce is not "good." Our role is not to judge, but to love.
The next big section pertained to the rich man asking about what he must do to inherit eternal life (my favorite verse). In essence, Jesus tells him that to inherit eternal life he must give himself wholly to God and quit placing his faith in the things of this world. The man walks away sad because he has a lot of stuff.
Some random thoughts...
1) Being good isn't enough. We must completely give ourselves to God. We must ask ourselves what is most important to us - our stuff or our faith.
2) Jesus looked at him and loved him. That verse makes me happy.
3) How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. When we have so much, it is really hard to put our faith in Christ. I have never had to pray for "this day, our daily bread" and I think my faith is a little weaker because of this.
4) With God, all things are possible. The disciples were blown away that the rich would have difficulty getting into God's Kingdom. They lived in the paradigm that said if you were rich it was because God was blessing you, so you must be okay in God's eyes. Jesus' words turned their world upside down...and they still do today.
May you see God's blessings in your life as you turn your life back over to God daily. That is what I am trying to do.
Under the Mercy,
Jason
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