Highlights:
Jesus' wise guidelines for "human relationships" (Mark 10:1-16,35-45). Joy for those who receive Jesus as Messiah (11:1-10), Who said: My House shall be called . . . the House of Prayer (11:17).
King Herod arrested John the Baptist, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. . . . And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison (Matt. 14:3-4,10). In an effort to have Jesus arrested and, hopefully, executed by Herod, the Pharisees asked Jesus: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? (Mark 10:2). Jesus was not intimidated, but quoted the Word of God, saying: From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain (two) shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (divorce) (Mark 10:6-9; Gen. 2:24).
The foremost responsibility in a marriage relationship is for husbands to love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it . . . so men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church (Eph. 5:25,28-29). Although numerous imperfections exist within the Church, Jesus does not give up on the Church and seek some other means of uniting people to follow Him. Furthermore, Jesus doesn't force anyone to be in submission to Him. The husband's conduct toward, and compassion for, his wife need to be like that of Christ for His Church. Christ leads the way and sets the perfect example in compassion, kindness, and forgiveness.
When a man is in submission to Christ, he prepares the way for his wife to desire to be in submission to him. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing (5:24). It is imperative that a wife feel secure in her husband's love. It is his responsibility to let her know by word and action how very important she is to him. And finally: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (5:21).
Husband and wife are a team and should be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph. 4:32).
Thought for Today:
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish (Prov. 10:28).
Word Studies:
10:1 by the farther side of beyond; people resort multitudes gather; 11:8 strawed spread, scattered.
Cross References:
For Mark 10:6: See Gen. 1:27; 5:2. Mark 10:7-8: See Gen. 2:24. Mark 10:19: See Ex. 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20. Mark 11:9: See Ps. 118:26. Mark 11:17: See Is. 56:7; Jer. 7:11.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Gene Green (TX) and Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM) • Country: Dominican Republic (8 million) in the West Indies, occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 96% Roman Catholic (many are spiritists); 2% Protestant; 1% Afro-American spiritist • Prayer Suggestion: Begin every day with prayer (Ps. 88:13).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:34