#Mark10 - Help for the Helpless

Click here to read Mark 10:

1. What stood out to you from this chapter?

It's not a stretch to say that this whole chapter in some way shows God's heart of compassion for the vulnerable and "helpless." Jesus shares that God's design for marriage is that one man and one woman would be united and never separated. One of the reasons divorce is not just "okay" with God is that it affects the husband, wife, children, family, and friends of those involved. It leaves many people vulnerable, hurt, poor, and insecure. Jesus then focuses on children being a part of the kingdom of God as well. When Jesus addresses the rich man, he says that whoever leaves behind their worldly riches and security for the sake of the gospel will certainly be provided for. He goes on to talk again about servant leadership and how it is not the rich and powerful who will be rewarded for being rich and powerful. Rather it is those who give their lives in service to others. He closes by helping Bartimaeus, who is blind and begging - virtually helpless in his society.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

The story of Bartimaeus receiving his sight is one that reminds me of so many other healing miracles, not just because they were healing miracles in general, but because Jesus says, "Your faith has healed you." In Mark 5:34 Jesus says the same thing to the woman suffering from bleeding. In Acts 3:16, we see that the lame man was healed because of his faith. In Luke 7:50 the woman who washes Jesus' feet was forgiven of her sins, and Jesus again said, "Your faith has saved you." The word for salvation, saved, healing, and forgiven are all tied together and related. It is by grace we have been saved, through faith, and it is by faith we are healed in Jesus' name.

3. What does this mean for my life?

When Jesus shares about rulers and leaders serving others, I am reminded of my own leadership roles. Whether it's as a husband, a father, a business leader, a Sunday School teacher, or board member, we are called to serve others. I always need to keep that in my mind.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

How are we supposed to interpret the story of the rich man for us today? Does Jesus's command for the man to sell everything apply to every Christian. Is it wrong to own anything? To save anything? To store anything? My hunch is no, not to that extreme, but I still don't know to what degree it applies to us.

Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. God bless and keep digging in.

In Christ,
Dan

image from https://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/mark-10-45.jpg

#Matthew19 - God's Plan for Marriage

Click here to read Matthew 19:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

The chapter opens up with some Pharisees asking Jesus about divorce. Divorce is a touchy subject today, because it affects a lot of people and becomes very personal very quickly. But what I observed in this passage is that Jesus doesn't just address divorce, he basically reveals God's best plan for marriage. In verses 5-6, Jesus reiterates what God declared all the way back in Genesis about marriage, that it was designed to be between one man and one woman, for life. Anything outside of that design (divorce, adultery, homosexuality, other sexual immorality) is not approved by God. There is no place in the Bible where God speaks favorably of any of these other actions or behaviors. And every time God talks about marriage in Scripture, it says, "husband and wife," or "man and wife."

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus also talks about divorce and adultery in Matthew 5:27-32. He uses almost the same language. And what is notable is that many people read this part about divorce thinking Jesus allows it or even blesses it in the case of sexual immorality or unfaithfulness. When I read it, I don't think he is saying it's somehow "okay" under these circumstances, I just read it to mean that under these circumstances, you are not making your spouse a victim of adultery because they have already committed it. I don't think Jesus ever says divorce is okay.

3. What does this mean for my life?

PLEASE DON'T MISS THIS. It would be really easy to read the first two sections and think that I am standing in judgment over people who are divorced as if God hates them. NO. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), but he never stops loving divorced people. Are there second chances for divorced people? ABSOLUTELY. Just like I get second and third chances when I stumble in sin and repent. Is divorce unforgivable? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It is in no way my intent to condemn divorced people, but rather to point out my observations in this passage about God's design and ultimate hope for marriage. I need to remember that for all people, that we are all sinners saved only by grace through faith in Christ. Christians are simply believers who are being transformed into Christ's image daily through the renewal of the Holy Spirit.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

The story of the rich young man is actually kind of puzzling to me. When he honestly asks Jesus what good thing must I do to get eternal life, why didn't Jesus just say, "There's nothing good you can do to earn this, you must simply repent of your sins and believe in me?" Why did Jesus answer him by telling him to obey the commandments? Why did he say he had to sell everything he had? I realize that on some level he was pointing out his deepest sin, which seems to be putting all his trust in his wealth. But there's no follow up. The answer to the man's question from Jesus is, "Sell everything and give it to the poor." Weird. Then there's the challenge of applying this to us. Is every Christian really supposed to sell everything that we have and then give it to the poor? Or is it just for "wealthy people" which would describe a great majority of American Christians (myself included) when compared to the rest of the world. I don't know it's just a weird one.

I'd love to hear some thoughts. Oh, and speaking of marriage, there is a great marriage retreat coming up Feb. 13-15 at Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp which is using the DVD series of "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" by Mark Gungor. CLICK HERE for more info.

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.truthdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/I-DO-Marriage-Series.jpg