Jesus Teaches About Marriage, Divorce, “Putting Away”, and Hearts

Deuteronomy 9-10

Psalm 26

*Mark 10

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Mark 10:2-12(NLT)  Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”3 Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?”
4 “Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.”
5 But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. 6 But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, 8 and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. 11 He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

This incident is also covered in Matthew chapter 19 also where we read:

Matthew 19:3-9(NLT) Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” 5 And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
7 “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked.
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. 9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.”

The subject of divorce and the “putting away of women” in the NT times was complicated depending on the racial and cultural practices of different groups of people present there.  For the Pharisees, who here are trying to trap Jesus in his words, the practice of divorce and remarriage was very common, and was justified by saying that the law of Moses allowed them to “put their wife away”.  This was not necessarily giving her a bill of divorcement which would allow her to remarry which is what the law required. 

Matthew 10:11(NLT) He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

This “divorce” here is the “putting away”,  not the required bill of divorce required by the law. But rather they would just put the wife away and leave her in a very precarious position culturally.  It was a very tough place for a woman to live and prosper without a man to be with and protect her.  Think of the Samaritan woman at the well and her marriage situation. She had had five husbands, and the man she was with she wasn’t married to.  Jesus doesn’t judge her for this, but rather teaches her the gospel of the kingdom to change her life and those in that village. 

One of the two categories of people that the NT promotes to us for charitable giving is for widows and for orphans.  These persons would be women that had no husband because of death, and children because of death that had no father or parents to care for them.  These are the true recipients of Christian charity we are admonished to care for. 

When the Pharisees decided that their wife did not please them for any reason, they would put the woman into this precarious cultural and economic position.  If she then went with another man, this would make her adulterous and she would be subject to death under the law of Moses.  This would also be true of the husband taking another wife or living with a different woman without divorce. This place of uncertainty that the wife would be in would be the cause of her adultery, not remarriage if she was fully divorced.  Read from Malachi 2 what God says through the prophet Malachi.

Malachi 2:13-17 Here is another thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. 14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
15 Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”
17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the LORD’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

This is a judgment of the hardness of the hearts of the Jews there and in Mark.  This is put on top of a cultural acceptance of almost anything goes sexually for the Romans and Greeks surrounding them.  The Gentiles had a very lax view of fornication, or even incest or homosexuality which was certainly not part of God’s plan for marriage and sexual relationships.  The Pharisees desired to be able to have any woman that they wanted sexually, and found ways to make this seem good and godly. 

Jesus brings us back to the standard set in Malachi 2.  God intends for each to be in a marriage relationship with one man or one woman.  This is set by vows of marriage which are made at the time of our marriage where we promise to be faithful.  Jesus condemns not the woman for what is going on but rather calls out the Jews for the ways they perverted the law and the intent of God for marriage.

The law did give the woman a right for divorce if the husband would not support her and take care of her (Deuteronomy 24:1,3).  It could also be for sexual reasons, either adultery on his part or refusal to be one with her sexually.  Cruelty could also be the grounds for a divorce for the woman and God does not require that anyone in an abusive relationship needs to arbitrarily stay there regardless of actions or words by either side. 

Luke 16:14-15,18 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God…..18 “For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

The word “divorce” here is the word “putting away” and this is the problem.  If there were true grounds for divorce for the woman or the man, then there should be a “bill of divorcement” given which would not result in adultery by either if they remarried.  The problem is the hardness of hearts which is true until today where easy divorce because of sexual attraction to someone else or simply desire to be single in order to “play the field”, are symptoms of the hardness of hearts which is what God most judges.  He cares about the condition of our thinking and our hearts before him.

God knows the evil that is in the hearts of mankind and desires for us to become like Him and His Son in every way in our lives including our marriages. 

Colossians 3:5(NLT) So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world

Colossians 3:12-14(NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Jesus holds the Pharisees to this level of commitment, not the deceit of Malachi 2.  If we want to walk with God, hearing Him and talking to Him, we need to purge our hearts of evil desire, and make the love of God be the standard for our lives.  God knows our weaknesses and lack of godly desire, but forgives us for our sin and gives us fellowship with Him when we seek Him.  Forgive others caught up in the cultural normalcy of divorce and remarriage and welcome the sinner to our fellowship if they are interested in change with God’s help and grace. 

Our standard is the Word of God and the love that Jesus shows us to be the way we are to interact with others. 

Reflection Questions

Does this discussion change your thoughts about marriage and divorce?

What is our moral position for those in the church?

How can we change our hearts to hear the voice of God?

Prayer

Father God help us to give our hearts to You this day.  Thank you for the mercy and grace you have given each of us to make us whole.  We lift our lives, families and marriages to You asking for guidance and help for us to make Godly decisions about all we do.  Father we desire to become like Christ and be able to heal and bless others.  In Jesus’ name we pray this day.

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The Question

*Deuteronomy 7-8

*Psalm 25

*Mark 10

“…Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

            I suppose that this question directly and pointedly asks the question we all wonder at in our heart.  Hebrews 11:6 clearly states “…for he who draws near to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.“.   God doesn’t require blind and unthinking obedience, he is a God of reason, and wants you to understand that there is a reward for your obedience and faith; there’s a reason you should want to do what God tells us. 

            If this was not the case, this would have been the perfect opportunity for Jesus to say “Hey man, why are you being so selfish?”, but Jesus recognized the sincerity of the man’s question and answered him equally sincerely by saying, “…Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’” (Mark 10:18-19 LSB).

            There are 2 very important bits that we need to take away from this response.  Firstly Jesus said “Why do you call me good?  No one is good except God alone.”.  This is (yet another) clear delineation between our King, the Christ (anointed one),  and God Himself.  If you have a more “complex” interpretation of God than is explicitly stated biblically, this verse creates complex issues, if you’re being honest.  There’s a simpler reading.  Secondly, Jesus’ first “go to” response is “what do the commandments say?” (Exodus 20, for reference).

            Jesus then goes on to say the man should sell all that he has, and give to the poor.  Keeping the commandments alone isn’t enough.  This makes the man sad because it seems as if his priority is wealth.   If you like, do a study on the Jewish concept of “tzedekah”; it’s a great understanding of how we should view worldly wealth conceptually (and most Christians have never even heard of it).  We’ll have a devotion that focuses on that concept later.

            In this present evil age, it is very difficult to keep our priorities straight.  We are constantly bombarded with imagery and concepts that are intentionally designed to divert our attention from our Creator and towards…anything and everything else.  Jesus gave us our priority, and told us to actively strive for our reward in Matthew 6:33  “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (LSB).  Our entire life should be focused on seeking God’s kingdom, and striving to have and exhibit the character of God.

            The word here used for righteousness is δικαιοσύνην and could be more accurately translated (as most places that righteousness is used) as “equity”, and I prefer that translation as it’s more accurate and has more depth and nuance to it.  Here’s a handy definition of equity as a refresher:

Equity (noun): (from the American Heritage Dictionary of Common Language, 5th ed)  

1.      The state or quality of being just and fair.
  • Something that is just and fair.
  • Justice achieved not simply according to the strict letter of the law but in accordance with principles of substantial justice and the unique facts of the case

            So we are to seek the Kingdom of God AND His (God’s) righteousness, or equity.  To be just and fair, not just by the letter of the law, but in our entire character and intent.  Note that this latter command to seek the righteousness of God is not only a job, but is in itself a reward, and is a necessary component to entering His Kingdom.  This character reflects not only how we are supposed to act, but how we are supposed to be, deep down inside where people can’t see.

“For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God…You shall know therefore that Yahweh your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His  loving-kindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…Therefore, you shall keep the commandments…”(Deut 7:6&9-11, LSB) So, is it important to keep the commandments? Well, according to Jesus our King, it is.  Then after we submit to this foundational obedience we must go even further, not just obeying the letter of the law, but actually modelling the character of our amazingly wonderful Creator, Yahweh God.

            We’re easily misled, as humans.  Sometimes by people, sometimes by traditions that people have elevated, and sometimes even our own hearts can lead us astray. We know from scripture that “the heart is more deceitful than all else” (Jer 17:9 LSB), and that we are to “Trust in Yahweh…lean not on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5-6 LSB).  God gave us His word, the scriptures, to be our guide.  All of the scriptures.  In our reading of Psalms 25  today, we have some of our promises and instructions for being “qodesh”, or holy: “Make me know your ways, O Yahweh, teach me your paths…Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore He instructs sinners in the way…and may he teach the humble His way...for Your name’s sake, O Yahweh, pardon my iniquity for it is great…the secret of Yahweh is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant.” (Ps 25:4,8,9,11-14 LSB)  This tells us clearly that even in this present evil age when we are so easily confused and misled, God Himself will instruct us, if we humbly and obediently seek Him.

            When Jesus was tempted, after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, the first thing he was tempted with was food.  Have you ever fasted for more than a day or two?  Towards the end did you find that you were pretty focused on getting something to eat?  Jesus’ reply to the Accuser was to quote the scriptures, “…man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh” (Deut 8:3, LSB).  Interestingly, every rebuttal that Jesus gives while being tempted was from the book of Deuteronomy.  Jesus seems to have thought Deuteronomy was pretty relevant; when asked what the greatest commandment was, he quoted Deut 6:4-5 (The Shema, that story is found in Mark 12) first as the greatest commandment. Is the Old Testament relevant to Christians? Well, to the Christ, it was.  Is a servant greater than his master?  When you are tempted, follow Jesus’ example; quoting the scripture not only chastens our enemy, but edifies ourselves with our intent.  Memorize some key verses to help you in defending yourself.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Jesus saw the 10 commandments as basic foundational requirements.  Do you obey all 10 of the commandments, as they are explicitly written?  Why, or why not?
  2. We are to seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (or, “equity”).  How is that going for you?  What can you specifically do on a daily basis to more accurately reflect the magnificent love and character of God to your fellow creation?
  3. We are all tempted in a manner that is specific to our weakness(es).  Do you have at least 3 key scriptures memorized, to defend yourself from your specific temptations?  What are they?  If not, why?

PRAYER

Lord God Yahweh, please, teach me Your ways.  Straighten my paths before me, Father, and lead me along the path that leads to Your kingdom.  Circumcise my heart, and let me humbly seek your will through obediently following Your word and Your will, as given to us in scriptures and in the teachings of the Christ.  Father, forgive me for when I fall short, please be merciful and loving towards me, and help me to reflect that mercy and love to all of Your creation.  Thank you, Father, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Little Children

Deuteronomy 5-6

Psalm 25

Mark 9

-Devotion by Aaron Winner (SC)

What is the simplest way to draw closer to God? To receive our children and teach them about their Lord.  Whether it is our blood, our church, or our villages, the relationship our Heavenly Father has with us is best understood when we become the loving adult meeting the spiritual needs of kids.  Invite them to talk about God. Remind them of His commands, His promise, and their purpose in Him.  Pray in the car. Read devotion at the dinner table. Take them to church.  Hold them in your arms while you worship. Admonish and acknowledge God in front of them in all your struggles and victories.

I think these thoughts are best shared today in seeing the through-line in our reading listed below.  Additionally, I have shared the words of a song recently inspired by these scriptures, which has acted as a daily reminder to the role I serve in my family, my occupation, my village, and my church.  I have also attached a link of a generated version of this song that you are welcome to listen to as you contemplate the fulfillments of the challenge in today’s reading.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord Your God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”- Deuteronomy 6:4-9

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’  He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,  ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’” – Mark 9:35-37

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,  and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.” – Psalm 25:7

The Only One

God is not a man that he should lie

Every promise He has made, he will supply

If we wander through the desert

And our walk is filled with strife

We can look to the heavens

For the coming Bread of Life

Come sing with me, oh God we believe

You are the Only One

Here this old and young, He’s still not done

Til every battle’s won

Write it on your doors and walls, hold it in your heart

Teach it to your children from His way they won’t depart

His Word will show, the Father alone is the Only One

God is not a man to change His mind

From beginning to the end there’s Jesus Christ

Though like sheep we’ve gone astray

He’s still searching for us now

Turn your eyes to God, ev’ry idol disavow

Come sing with me, oh God we believe

You’re the Only One

Here this old and young, He’s still not done

Til every battle’s won

Write it on your doors and walls, hold it in your heart

Teach it to your children from His way they won’t depart

His Word will show, the Father alone is the Only One

Here is the link if you would like to listen: https://suno.com/s/tKPiG0mCfWYUqZnU

Reflection Questions

  1. What happens when we don’t live out Deuteronomy 6:4-9? Whether you are a parent or not, how can you improve the way that you live out this passage?
  2. Give some examples of what it could look like to “welcome a child”. From Mark 9:35-37 and your own experiences, what are the benefits of welcoming a child? When was the last time you welcomed a child? In what additional way(s) can you practice welcoming a child this coming week?
  3. How do you allow God to teach you, so that you in turn can share with others? How do you hold God’s words in your heart? What else can you do to be more teachable? What happens when we don’t let God teach us?

Prayer

Dear God, the One and Only god, that makes You worthy of our praise and of my love with all my heart, soul, and strength. Thank you for sharing Your precious words with us. I want to learn from You, God, more and more. Help me to be teachable. Open my ears and my mind to lessons from You. Help me hold Your words – not my own, and not the world’s – but Your words – in my heart, throughout my home, and spilling over into every conversation. Show me how you want me to welcome the children so they receive a bit of Your words and the love of You and Your Son through me.

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Addition and Subtraction

Deuteronomy 3-4

Psalm 24

Mark 9

–Devotion by Aaron Winner (SC)

Many people know I love to write. I hope that is apparent as you read through my devotions when I have the opportunity to share with Seek Grow Love. Additionally, I love science and history. Having taught both of these subjects, I love the story that each tells about creation and humanity. A fact that fewer know is that I’m pretty good at math and love Excel with extensive formulas—in fact, that was my job at one point: building elaborate spreadsheets to compute cubic feet, pricing, man hours, and profitability. Consequently, I know that a single piece of punctuation or an added numeral can set off a chain of poor computations that completely miss the mark.

“You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God.” — Deuteronomy 4:2

Moses reminds the people of Israel of this principle long before spreadsheets. Do not add anything to the commands of God. Do not take anything away from them. Keep them. Jesus gives us a similar warning in the Revelation to John—addition and subtraction have a direct impact on judgment (Revelation 22:18–19). Let me say this clearly: God’s Word is not a suggestion. To knowingly misinterpret it or treat it without the greatest care—molding it to fit our preferences, our culture, or our experience—is to lose sight of God.

More often than not, we fall into the temptation not to change the Word itself, but to reshape its practice. We ignore what is divisive or costly and choose to emphasize what is comfortable and easier to manage. In the age of preference, our faith is on the line. Instead of forming our lives around God’s discernible commands, we cling to standards set by ourselves or the world. These can become idols—hedged assurances of our ego, stature, time, wealth, or sacrifice.

Who is the one who ascends the hill of the Lord? Whether it is David as he brings the Ark of the Covenant to Zion or the disciples witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus, the question remains (Psalm 24:3–4; Mark 9:2–7). The call is not based on effort alone. You cannot add to or subtract from your efforts to receive lesser or fuller reward as an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. Because of this, purity is a whole, never a part. It is not achieved through addition or protected through subtraction, but through alignment with what God has already spoken.

Apart from the warning of Jesus—that judgment follows when we distort His Word—we will naturally drift. When we add, we place burdens, red tape, and elevation onto a grace that was freely given, though it still calls for obedience. When we subtract, we remove what is essential, lowering the standard and risking a faith that cannot hold. In trying to soften truth, avoid conflict, or live without conviction, we find ourselves living in tension—or worse, in the comfort of denial and ignorance.

The truth is this: God does not ask more than we can bear, but He also does not ask any less. The formula is not complicated, but the math is not easy. An errant doctrine is not the solution to humanity’s problem of sin. We may come to God through wandering, in our watching, or as a witness—but we are never called to customize the truth.

Reflection Questions

Consider these questions as you read today and place your obedience before the Lord:

Where have I added expectations for myself or others that God has never given?

Where have I subtracted or omitted truths that feel too difficult to hold?

Where is God inviting me to search His Word more deeply—and to truly listen?

Prayer

Dear God,

I praise you for being a righteous and holy God. There is none other. All your words are true and right. Thank you for the gift of the Bible where You reveal yourself and all truth, goodness, and the way to salvation. Help me see any errors I have committed in adding to or subtracting from Your perfect Word. May I stand alone on Your words which give life, never seeking to conform Your Word to my way, but always, always, always, changing and molding myself to reflect You and Your Son. May Your Spirit guide me in all things!

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

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At the Edge of Promise

Deuteronomy 1-2

Psalm 24

Mark 8

Devotion by Aaron Winner (SC)

As an educator of a dozen years, I find that I have a handful of what I call “pocket TED talks” that I return to time and time again as a way of conveying convincing life lessons to students. These are well-practiced insights that I return to most upon hearing a common signal word or phrase. For example, one cue is the word “just,” which minimizes any role or behavior, demonstrating our belief in its importance. The second, and more relevant to today’s topic, is “what if…” I have heard this opening phrase almost every single day as a history teacher and a principal. “What if World War 3 started today?” “What if there was a real fire in the building?” While I might provide a framing or a forecast, I say you cannot predict the future, but you can look to the past as a tell of what is most likely to happen.

At the opening of Deuteronomy, we find Israel still moving, but now at the edge of the Promised Land. From both a literal and figurative mountaintop, Moses pauses to look backward. He recounts their journey; the victories, the failings, the wandering, and the waiting are all part of his retelling. It is the spiritual season recap for God’s people, who have the tendency to forget.

“The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” — Deuteronomy 2:7

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” — Psalm 24:3–6

Below is a list of some of these important reminders we find in today’s reading. Reflect on the history that is presented to us and consider your own. As we stand at the edge of the coming Kingdom of God, take a moment to survey from the mountaintop.

– God gave manna when there was no food in the desert. Jesus duplicates this in the feeding of thousands while the crowd waited for spiritual sustenance. Reflect on your own blessings of daily bread and how God has given you what you need to live today.

– God directs Israel’s path, guiding them as a cloud by day, fire by night, and through his direction to Moses. Jesus duplicates this when he asks each of us to bear our cross and follow him, showing us the way to live. Reflect on your own walk with God and the path He has you on, and the people he has brought alongside you for the journey.

– God remained faithful to the people of Israel even when they worshiped other gods and disobeyed direct instructions. Jesus remains faithful to his disciples even when they gripe about not having bread shortly after watching the very same miracle performed. Reflect on the faithfulness of God to you. Remember how God has shown up in the most difficult seasons.

– God was on the side of his people in battle, bringing them victory. The death of Jesus, as God’s design, is a battle that Jesus came to fight on our behalf once and for all. While it might be easy to reflect on your current battle, reflect instead on God’s gift of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice of love, restoring us to Him.

If you are “just” waiting for an answer in the present, or you are reeling in “what ifs” about the future, pause to remember the Lord. The wandering has not been wasted. He has made a path with a purpose. No doubt, we are not out of the wilderness, but we are also at the edge of promise.

Reflection Questions

See bold faced reflection above

Prayer

Dear God Almighty – I praise You for Your faithfulness and mercy. Over and over again You provide for me and You show me which way to go. I thank You for being such a GOOD GOD to me, every day in my past, all day today, and every day in the future. Thank you for the incredible gift of Your Son and the Kingdom You are preparing for those who accept and follow Jesus. Everyday, it is getting closer. Everyday, help me move closer to You, too.

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Miklat

Numbers 35-36

Psalm 23

Mark 8

-Devotion by Aaron Winner (SC)

On any given day in Israel, the sounding of an alert can send an entire city scrambling toward a miklat—a bomb shelter—seeking safety from the enemy’s incoming attack. While this would not be commonplace for most of us, this is just another routine feature of Israeli life, a reality woven into the mandated architecture of homes, hospitals, and schools. These shelters stand as silent witnesses to the real persistent threat, offering all within its walls refuge from the destruction.

We can find the use of this word in Ancient Israel too, describing again, protection from harm, although the enemies are more likely to be within the same walls. In Numbers 35:6–15, God commands the establishment of six cities of refuge, places where those guilty of involuntary manslaughter could flee for safety. These cities were not loopholes for the guilty, but lifelines for the vulnerable—spaces of mercy in the midst of justice. Without them, the accused would face certain death at the hands of an avenger. With them, they were given time, protection, and the hope of appeal and even restoration. God used the physical space to deliver a message of hope for his people.

That truth echoes in Psalm 23:4–6, where the psalmist walks through “the valley of the shadow of death” yet fears no evil. Why? Because refuge is no longer merely a place; it is a presence. “For you are with me.” In seasons of fear, sorrow, or struggle, our instinct is often to run—to escape, to deny, or to despair. Yet the Shepherd leads us differently. He guides us to green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23:2), even though it may look more like scorched earth than scenic mountain hike.  A family singing hymns in the dim light of a bunker, the shared hope in a friend’s embrace as we grieve, a desperate flight from addiction that leads you back to the Word of God, all can be reminders of a present, working God.

In the same manner, we find this constant companionship in Jesus Christ. As the fulfillment of the Law, He becomes our ultimate miklat, both the bearer and redeemer of our sin. In Mark 8:1–9, Jesus feeds the four thousand, revealing Himself as the true Bread who satisfies not only physical hunger but a far greater spiritual need. Just as those awaiting the Gospel message outside of the boat, we neither have the strength to stand judgment nor the ability to walk to the next town over. Our miklat is built in the foundation of salvation’s careful plan, so let us be constantly reminded we can run to His refuge at any moment.

Reflection Questions

  1. When and where have you experienced God’s refuge?
  2. What might God’s refuge look like in a current situation you face?
  3. How can you be a part of offering God’s refuge to someone who feels like they are in a dark valley?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, giver of all life and true refuge, thank you for providing refuge and giving the gift of Your Son and salvation. Help me see and feel that You are near. Even when my situation doesn’t change, Your presence calms and shelters me. Show me where and how I can share You, Your strength, Your guidance, and Your peace with others. In Jesus’ name I pray.

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The Heart of the Matter

Numbers 33-34

Psalm 23

Mark 7

-Devotion by Emilee Christian (MO)

We’ve all heard the saying, “it’s the thought that counts.” Intentions matter. That’s what Jesus is getting at in today’s scripture reading in Mark 7. 

Jesus tells the Pharisees actions without heart mean nothing. He quotes Isaiah 29:11 saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (NLT). It got me thinking about how easy it can be to practice routine spiritual disciplines without our hearts being fully present. The spiritual disciplines I’m referring to include tithing, regular church attendance, praying before meals, communion, prayer, worship, and reading of scripture. These are the things that easily become mundane for the longtime practicing Christian. It’s important to find ways to mix things up once in a while. We can easily get stuck hamster wheeling through the motions without taking the time to really consider what it is we’re doing. Taking a break from your normal routine can reignite your passion. When we feel like we’re going on autopilot, switching things up, practicing our spiritual disciplines in different ways, helps us refocus on the task and approach it with a renewed attitude. 

I understand not everyone’s mind works like this, so I’ve created a list of suggestions. This week I encourage you to choose one discipline to switch up. See if the task means more to you. If you get more out of the experience. Or, perhaps you’ll learn just how much you enjoyed doing it your way, which will hopefully renew your heartfelt intentions. The goal of this challenge is to bring yourself back to the heart of why we do what we do, by pausing and re-evaluating your intentions. 

Tithing 

  1. Write your check at a different time than normal. If you’re always doing your check right before the plate is passed, try preparing it at home first. If you always come with your check prepared, try writing it during the worship service. I personally really enjoy tithing during services. To me, there’s something intimate about listening to the worship music, getting on my phone and checking my pay stubs, doing quick math on the back of a bulletin, then placing my check in the offering box. 
  2. Include your children in tithing. This may be by encouraging them to put their own money in the plate, or giving them something to put in the offering. I still remember the feeling of importance I got as a little girl whenever I dumped my change into the offering. It felt good to give to God and made me feel part of something bigger than myself, even if all I contributed were pennies. 

Church Attendance 

  1. Go to service at a different time if your church offers multiple services. 
  2. Sit somewhere else during the service. 

Praying Before Meals

  1. If you typically pray silently, pray aloud.
  2. If your family is the fold hands type – try holding hands to pray. 
  3. Put your hands in a different position. 
  4. Start your prayer off with thanking Him for one specific blessing you experienced since your last meal. 
  5. Have your family take turns saying the prayer. 

Communion 

  1. If you know it’s communion Sunday, sit somewhere else during the service so you are taking communion in a new environment. 

Prayer

  1. Pray aloud.
  2. Pray at a different time in the day.
  3. Put your hands in a different position.
  4. Start a prayer journal. Or just simply write down your prayers. 
  5. Create a prayer chart with a white board. 
  6. Pray when you are bored or waiting. This is how we learn to pray without ceasing and be in constant conversation with God. 
  7. Take yourself to a quiet place and pray on your knees.
  8. End your prayer time with a worship song. 
  9. Pray with your children.
  10. Pray with your spouse.
  11. Pray in public. Without being the annoying guy in Luke 18:9-14. For example, you could end your coffee date with your friend by praying for her right there in the shop, quietly in the corner taking a private moment together. 

Worship

  1. If your church is a standing and singing church, sit down during a song, bowing your head in prayer. 
  2. Don’t sing. Listen to the words. 
  3. Do sing! Even if you are no good and you think no one wants to hear your voice – God does. 
  4. Do a mini worship session in the car on the way to work. Turn on the local Christian radio, or play some of your favorite worship music. 
  5. Take a Sunday off from leading worship if you’re part of the worship team. Sometimes it can be nice to simply be a part of  the service instead of leading it. This also may give the opportunity for others in your church to step up and serve. 

Reading of Scripture

  1. Sit someplace else in your house for your quiet time.
  2. Take a break from what you are currently reading. It’s okay to flip to a different part of the Bible, or a different devotional book. Doing it just for the sake of doing it and saying you completed something is exactly what Jesus was accusing the Pharisees of doing. 

Questions: 

  1. Which challenge are you going to choose? 
  2. Give yourself a heart check. Are there areas of your faith that have become mundane? 

Prayer –

based on the lyrics “The Motions” by Mathew West

Dear God,

I don’t want to go through the motions. I don’t want to go one more day without your all consuming passion inside of me. Let your love make me whole. 

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen. 

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Feeling Forsaken

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Walking on Water Again?

Numbers  29-30

Psalm 22           

Mark 6

– Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Mark 6:45-52 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, 52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

Mark! What’s the deal with saying our hearts were too hard???  Why would God have you write that in your gospel??

The official line about the gospel of Mark is that Peter and other original apostles are the source of the material he writes from.  They tell him what happened and then he writes it down. We need to ask ourselves so many times when reading these records about what was Jesus trying to teach his apostles and disciples?  Then what is the lesson for us in the recalling of them? 

The trip on the sea of Galilee that includes another walk on the water by Jesus comes after feeding 5000 men plus women and children (maybe 15-20K people).  He uses such the small amount of food to start with.  So many questions come to my feeble mind.  How did Jesus ever break up that much bread or fish?  How did God multiply the food to fill baskets full?  Where did the baskets come from?  Who ate the leftovers and for how long?  So many questions on these records.

What was the apostle’s reactions to helping to break and hand out the food to that many people?  Jesus says “you feed them” to the apostles.  Which is exactly what they proceed to do.  What should they and we learn from the experience besides astonishment at the event? 

I believe that the lesson for us and those disciples there is that God is the source of all blessing and sufficiency.  God alone is the giver of all that is good and fruitful, the only source of true food and health for all the people of the world.  Our very food we eat is only because of the grace and mercy of God to give it to us.  Jesus looks to God and then blesses this small amount of food, making it sufficient to do the humanly impossible.  What great power of God is at work in Jesus’ life and is still available to us today. 

Christians must bring their lives to God in an attitude of obedience and sacrifice. When we do this, we need to expect God to do far beyond what can be imagined.   We should trust that God not only wants to meet our needs, but that He wants to give to us with overflowing spiritual blessings.

Are our hearts too hard to believe our God’s promises?  “Hardened” here is to be “petrified” or maybe should mean “calloused”.  Our habits of life that don’t believe the promises of God cause our hearts by repetition to become calloused to the truth.  We develop a lifetime set of beliefs that doesn’t believe that God can do anything very miraculous.  We start to believe miracles and all that Jesus stuff died out with the apostles and isn’t that important today. 

We say we have faith but prove that we don’t by our actions and speech.  “You feed them” is what Jesus tells us to do, but we say, “OK we will, but here’s our few loaves and fishes.  Don’t blame me when it really doesn’t work out. I’ll do it but I don’t really believe that it will work with my resources.”  When we pray for someone to be delivered or healed are we really standing in our confidence of God’s help or do we just go through the motions?

I know that one of my lazy habits is to excuse my prayers by telling God that I will pray for people, but because I really don’t know what to pray for, I will just put them up before God and then go on with my life.  Ever been confronted with a specific situation that is right there in front of you with no apparent answers to it?  How did you react?  Our first habit needs to become the truth of God’s Word for us, not the calloused habit of our hearts to give Him our excuses.

So, I thought we were going to look at the walking on the water event.  More questions come to mind.  Why does Jesus send them off across the lake without him and just go pray by himself?  What happens that changes their hearts so much from this experience of the waves and wind?  Here they are again in a situation that faces them head on and close in.  No amount of rowing or sail handling will get them out of it.  Remember that they were experienced fisherman with a great deal of boat handling and weather experience.  “Jesus don’t worry about us we have it handled, have some confidence we are the experts”.  But once again we and they don’t really have it.  For the apostles it is that if God can feed the five thousand then He does have the answers for every situation. 

What is the lesson of the waves?  Once again that God has our care in place, and we need to put our trust in His promises.  Jesus says he will ever be with us to the end of the earth.  This is his church and he is building it and taking care of it.  We are not really in charge of what we think we are.  We are confident every minute until the wind and waves are overwhelming.  How many times God saves us from disaster and even death. 

Ephesians 3:20(NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Psalms 22:22-24(NLT) I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among your assembled people.
23 Praise the LORD, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.

Questions:

See bold questions above

Prayer:

Father God, come to us with your promises and give us the heart that hears them and will believe You.  Thank you for the records of Your Word to give us confidence to do Your will.  Help us to see the Christ-in -us that will give us strength to act and speak.  Thank you that Your will is still to feed and save people from destruction.  Be with us this day as we hear you with our hearts.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

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To Lead Begins With Sacrifice

Num 27-28

Ps 21

Mark 6

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

This week, we’ve been approaching ever so slowly the end of the Israelites’ 40th year in the wilderness. There has been a changing of the guard throughout these chapters – with the deaths of Miriam and Aaron and now the foretold death of Moses. God takes this time now to prepare Joshua for the task of leading the people through these words given to Moses. 

You may think that Moses would focus on something more akin to the ‘12 irrefutable laws of leadership,’ but he takes this time to double down on the system of sacrifices that the law instituted. 

  • Offer a lamb in the morning. 
  • Pour out a drink offering each day. 
  • Offer some flour each day. 
  • Offer a lamb in the evening. 
  • Offer two lambs on the Sabbath. 
  • Offer two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish at the beginning of the month plus a male goat
  • On the Passover (during the first month of the year) make an additional offering everyday for seven days
  • During the other festivals throughout the year, make an offering

Over and over, the commandments are the same: Make an offering. Make an offering. Make an offering. 

Joshua’s role as leader of the people was not to be successful – whether in the ancient ways of building more impressive buildings or in the modern ways of money and acclaim amongst the people. His role was to shepherd the people to follow the ways of God. And, central to the ways of God is this system of offerings. 

Burnt Offerings were so important because “the burnt offering required the worshipper to incinerate a valuable asset which could have been used to increase one’s wealth. The worshipper would have to believe that the Lord would provide for their needs regardless of the loss” (from Favor by Fire: Burnt Offerings and the Bible). Burnt Offerings required the Israelites to order their hearts rightly and sacrifice in complete trust and obedience (much like tithing today). 

Burnt Offerings also beautifully point to the future atonement of Christ’s work on the cross. Hebrews 10:11-14 says, “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest [aka Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

It’s fitting that this is the basis for Moses’ instructions to Joshua. To be a leader means that you have to live with sacrifice at the forefront of your mind. You have to base your decisions on God and treat your influence and accomplishments tenderly, stewarding them rather than boasting in them. 

Moses’ final instructions remind us of the focus of our life. We should live for God in all that we do. And, that requires sacrifice. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What would burnt offerings require of the people in the past? Why did God require this sacrifice? 
  2. How is the idea of sacrifice different under the New Covenant? Do we still have to practice a form of daily sacrifice?
  3. How did the ancient form of sacrifices point to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice? 

Prayer

God, 

Thank you for the perfect gift of your son as our saving sacrifice. Let us be a daily offering to you through our lives. Let all we are and do bring honor and glory to you. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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