TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.
Read: Mark 10:1-10
Listen: Mark 10
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Some Pharisees come to Jesus, who is now in Judea (a place to underline in the journal), with a question about divorce. It wasn’t a serious question; it was just another way to trap him. Their question is contrived to get Jesus to say something that might get him in trouble with Herod. But Jesus answers them in a way that reveals their selfish desires. He points out Moses wrote the law permitting divorce because of man’s selfishness (Deuteronomy 24:1). He then uses this as an opportunity to teach that marriage is a place for oneness, centered in humility and sacrifice. (Please watch The Company of Christ: Bonus Content for Marriage video from Pastor Jeff Manion.)
Jesus teaches us that cruciformity should permeate marriage because marriage is not just about one person. It requires the kind of love and respect that replaces selfishness with humility and sacrifice. (Ephesians 5:21). This is a principle that applies to all relationships. Life is not just about us. Whether we are married or single, learning how to have cross-shaped relationships is crucial.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
How are you doing at putting others first? With open hands and heart, ask God to show you where you need to grow in the way you relate to others. Ask him to show you one thing you can do differently this week to humbly serve your spouse, a friend, children, or co-worker. Then ask him for his power and grace to do it.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
