Mark wrote how Jesus, “arose from there, and came into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another”, and in chapter ten and verse two of his book, Mark shared how, “the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?” where we read:
And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him,
Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
The verse reads, “And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, ...” Mark began with the words, “and the Pharisees” which means “and the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “came to him” or “appeared to and approached Jesus”, “and asked him” which means “and questioned and inquired of Jesus”. Mark shared how the “religious leaders” known as “the Pharisees” approached Jesus again with another question.
The verse goes on to say, “... Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.” Mark continued with the words, “Is it lawful” which means “is it according to the law and right” “for a man” or “for a male human being” “to put away his wife” which means “to set free, dismiss, bid depart, release or divorce his female wedded woman”? “tempting him” or “trying and testing Jesus in a maliciously crafted way to prove His feelings or judgments”. Mark shared how the “Pharisees” were “craftily” testing Jesus by wanting to know if He thought it was “right” for a “man” to “divorce” his “wife”.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “religious leaders” were after Jesus again. The Pharisees desired to discredit Jesus with this “crafty questions” because they were threatened by Him and the people believed in Him. The question presented by the “Pharisees” is one that should be carefully considered as it continues to be relevant today. God loves everyone, and He has a plan for “marriage” that is according to His sovereign rule. God desires to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and since Jesus is the authority sent from God, His answer concerning “putting away” is valuable and worthy of obedience.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus asked, “what did Moses command you?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment