STAND ON GOD’S DESIGN (Mark 10:2-9, 13-16)

To understand Mark 10:2-9, it is important to know that the Pharisees were testing Jesus at a place known as Perea. Herod Antipas was the ruler of Perea, and John the Baptist (the cousin of Jesus) was previously arrested and beheaded for calling out his marriage and divorce. During that time, there were two groups of Pharisees who had different ideas on divorce: one saying that divorce is okay if the wife is caught with sexual immorality, the other saying it is okay for any given reason.   

The Pharisees tested Jesus by asking Him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife — and if Jesus answered wrongfully, either one of the groups would hate Him or Herod Antipas would punish Him like John. Instead of answering the question, Jesus pointed them to Scripture and revealed the real issue of the Pharisees, which was the hardness of their hearts. 

God’s design for marriage is different than the world’s design: 

God’s Design  World’s Design 

• Between male and female only (v.6)     Between anyone that the nation’s law allows

• Transcending legal contracts (v.8)     Bound primarily by legal contract

• No man should separate (v.9)     Man can separate where nation’s law allows

Later on in verses 13-16, Jesus was very upset when His disciples rebuked parents for bringing their children to Him. In Roman society, children were treated like functional objects in their community. A father could even decide to kill his child for whatever reason. Instead of treating children as a nuisance, Jesus modeled a different way to treat them: He took the children in His arms and blessed them. Jesus portrayed a beautiful picture of tender love, blessings, and affirmation as He had experienced from His Heavenly Father (Matthew 3:16-17). 

Whatever is happening to our families right now, we need to know God’s Word and STAND on HIS design. 

EVALUATE YOUR PRIORITIES (Luke 14:26) 

Jesus, in another encounter with His disciples, said that if anyone comes to Him but does not “hate” his own family or his own life cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:26, Matthew 10:37). “Hate” in the Greek text means to love less by comparison, not to dislike or despise; meaning we are to love and prioritize Him above all, even over ourselves and our families. 

Situation  Application

• Faith over family     Choose God over family 

• “child-centric” parenting     Prioritize marriage over children 

    Fathers: model manhood to sons 

    Mothers: model womanhood to daughters 

    Older siblings: encourage and take care of younger siblings 

• Idolizing marriage                   Be content, wait for God’s best, and do not compromise  

• Idolizing having own children   Be content, consider adoption, and do not compromise  

EMBRACE A LARGER FAMILY (Matthew 12:48-50) 

John 1:12 says, “But to all who believed in Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God”, yet in Matthew 12:48-50, Jesus made no mention of God having grandchildren. We are all children of God and He is our Father, and we need to adopt a broader perspective knowing we have a spiritual family. 

Are you part of God’s family? Come to Jesus! Believe in what He has done for you on the cross, surrender your life to Him as your Lord and Savior, and be part of God’s family. S.E.E. family as Jesus does and watch what God will do as He transforms you and gives you the boldness and the courage to overcome challenges in your family life!