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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 223

2 Peter 3:9a "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slacknessâ?¦" 2 Peter 3:9a"

Day 223 – Mark 10

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness…” 2 Peter 3:9a

THE SILENCE OF THE PHARISEES

The Pharisees were strangely quiet after Jesus gave His opinion on the subject of Divorce. They knew better than to engage Him further. Deep down in their hearts, they knew that Jesus was right. Silence however does not necessarily mean that they had agreed with Jesus’ interpretation of the law. They just did not know how to counter Jesus’ handling of the Scriptures.

FURTHER QUESTIONS BY THE DISCIPLES

The subject of Divorce was no mere theological issue. It was a subject that the Disciples would have to deal with in the future. It was thus wise of them to raise further questions.


“In the house His disciples also asked Him again
about the same matter. So He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her.
And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”
MARK 10:10-12

1. A broader subject

Jesus opened up the issue of divorce further by dwelling on the subject of adultery. Whereas the Pharisees narrowed the subject to the law of Divorce, Jesus widened the
subject to include a common reason why people sought divorce.

a) Why did the man divorce his wife in the first place?
b) Was it because he wanted to marry someone else?
c) If so, then the man is guilty of adultery!

2. Women not spared

Jesus did not single out the men as the only culprits. Women can be just as guilty in suing for divorce for the wrong reasons! The law of Moses, correctly understood and applied was a sword that cut both ways!

a) Did the woman plan to marry someone else after legal divorce?
b) If so, she too is guilty of adultery!

HIDING SINS BEHIND THE LAW

The Pharisees often hid their evil thoughts and intentions behind the letter of the Law. The Law was never meant to hide sin. In fact one of the purposes of the law was to contain the problem of sin!