Day 304—Today is the last day of the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 304 – Matthew 19, Mark 10.  (Divorce, Rich young ruler, Children, James & John’s request.)

These two chapters cover some of the same events in Jesus’ ministry. They are set in Judea rather than Galilee, and the area is thick with religious hierarchy.

Some Pharisees come to Jesus “to test Him” about a point of the law concerning divorce. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they asked. “What did Moses (the law) say?” Jesus responded, showing He knew what they were up to. When they answered that Moses said it was okay for a man to divorce his wife, Jesus said, “He wrote that because of the hardness of your heart.”  Jesus explained that from the beginning, GOD meant that a man and wife be joined together forever.

Later, His disciples quizzed Him about it, and He told them that whoever divorces his (her) mate and marries another is committing adultery. “If that’s the case,” they said. “It is better not to marry at all.” Jesus agrees that for some, this is the best option.

Interestingly, the next scene involves children (the result of a married union). Parents wanted Jesus to touch, bless, and pray for their children, but the snooty disciples rebuked them, thinking the Master was too busy for babies. Jesus was indignant with their attitude and instead welcomed children, saying that anyone who would enter the Kingdom of  God must come in faith like those little ones. He gathered them onto his lap and blessed them.

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As we saw in Luke 18, Matthew and Mark tell the story of the rich, young ruler who came to Jesus with a heart question: “What (what good deed) must I DO to “inherit” eternal life?”  (Note: a person does not DO something to INHERIT. It is freely given because of a relationship.)  (Also, the man calls Jesus ‘good’ teacher, and Jesus makes sure he knows just WHO he is talking to.  Only God is good, so realize, young man, that I am giving you God’s answer.)

The man says he has kept perfectly, since his youth, ALL God’s commandments concerning how to treat other people, but he still feels something lacking. Mark says, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.”  Jesus knew the man’s heart and that his money was “king.”  “Go, sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow Me, and you will have treasure in Heaven.” (Give up the throne of your life, that “I” might sit on it.)  But, alas, the VERY RICH young man could not. Both he and Jesus were saddened (disheartened and sorrowful) at the conclusion.

The disciples again quiz Jesus. Peter says, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?”  Jesus acknowledges their sacrifice and assures them that they will indeed “inherit” eternal life (and be reimbursed in other ways in THIS life, too.)

Here (for the third time), Jesus tells them He is on the road to a greater sacrifice – His own life for theirs. It will involve physical and emotional suffering and death. But he will rise after three days.

This sparks a favor that brothers James and John want to ask Jesus.  “When you come into your glory, can we sit on your right and left?”  (Um, did they not just hear Jesus tell of His upcoming pain, humiliation, and death???)

“Can YOU TWO go through all that I am destined to endure?  Can you drink that bitter cup I must drink?”  “Yes. Sure, we can.” They say. (I can imagine Jesus sighing and shaking his head at this.”  Yes, you will drink this cup (speaking at their own martyrdom), but it’s not up to Me to decide who sits by me in the kingdom.”  God has chosen those for that spot.

For sure, this made the other ten disciples indignant.  Who do those “sons of thunder” think they are?  Who made them special?  As with a class of kindergarteners, Jesus tells His men/boys, “Whoever would be great among you must be your SERVANT, and whoever would be first among you must be SLAVE of all.  EVEN I, the Son of Man, came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”