What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued his teaching about marriage:] "But 'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation."

—Mark 10:6 NLT

Key Thought


God's plan, rooted in the creation story of Genesis 2, is that one woman and one man be married for life. As male and female, they are different, yet each one is created in the image of God. They are different — not just because of their physical differences and the differences in their two lives, with different experiences and...

 

"Well, [Moses] permitted it," [the Pharisees] replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."
But Jesus responded, "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts."


—Mark 10:4-5 NLT

Key Thought


What Moses did in allowing the children of Israel a legal means of divorce (see Mark 10:1-4 and the previous three WJD! devotionals) was done only as a concession. Divorce was not God's original plan. It was not what was...

 

Jesus answered [the Pharisees] with a question: "What did Moses say in the law about divorce?"
"Well, he permitted it," they replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."


—Mark 10:3-4 NLT

Key Thought


In this Scripture, the Pharisees were able to correctly tell Jesus what Moses said about divorce. In the subsequent verses (Mark 10:5-9), Jesus confronted the Pharisees with the truth revealed in their question; they were...

 

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap [Jesus] with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?"

—Mark 10:2 NLT

Key Thought


Isn't it amazing how religious people can resort to trickery and legalistic debate to try to prove their superiority? Shouldn't we focus on the real issues of God's heart like justice, mercy, and righteous living? Words are important, but religious words become righteous only when they truly come to life in people who are living to...

 

Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around him, and as usual he was teaching them.

—Mark 10:1 NLT

Key Thought


Two characteristics marked Jesus' ministry at this stage of his life. First, he was very popular so crowds accompanied him everywhere he went. Second, he taught them God's will at this point — and throughout his ministry. Jesus' goal in attracting people was not to...

 

[Jesus continued his teaching,] "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other."

—Mark 9:50 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus wants us to be people of godly character — the term "qualities of salt" in this verse refers to people who are holy, righteous, pure, and redemptive in a world that is none of those things. Jesus wants us to live in peace...

 

[After saying that his disciples must remove any source of temptation, Jesus continued,] "For everyone will be tested with fire."

—Mark 9:49 NLT

Key Thought


The real character of our lives will not be left in doubt when we are tested. As one saying goes, "Trial doesn't produce character but reveals it." At the end of human time, all facades will fall. Hidden secrets will be revealed. Well-camouflaged sins will be brought out in the open. Every motivation for each action...

 

[Jesus continued,] "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It's better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 'where the maggots...

 

[Jesus continued,] "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck."

—Mark 9:42 NLT

Key Thought


So often in our passion to preserve the purity of the faith, we begin to exclude others. While purity in our faith is important, Jesus reminds us of the other side of the matter: woe to us if we exclude someone who Jesus sees as belonging to him or...

 

[Jesus said,] "If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded."

—Mark 9:41 NLT

Key Thought


The kindness Jesus expects and rewards in his followers is very simple. God doesn't forget kindness that is demonstrated with actions that are real, even if they are simple. When we are kind to other believers or they are kind to us, God sees, remembers, and rewards! Of course Jesus doesn't want...