Children often inherit some of the same traits as their parents. The saying, ‘the apple doesn’t fall from the tree’ states it perfectly. Children’s behavior is modeled after what is observed during those young impressionable years and is carried through into adulthood. This is a good thing that makes a parent proud as their children take on their characteristics in life. But it can turn disastrous if a child turns into a bad apple through the influence of the family tree
Physical traits and behavior are passed down to children from the parents in the family. Spiritual traits and behavior are passed down to everyone through their spiritual family tree. The apostle John writes, “Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.” (1Jn.2:29 nlt) Christians with Christ as our savior are part of the family of God. Our family tree is the triune God passing down His characteristics to us. Our lives should bear the fruit of the family we belong to.
For those who do not know the Lord Jesus as savior, their family is not the family of God. Jesus said, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does.” (Jn.8:44 nlt) This sounds harsh, but Jesus always tells it like it is. Jesus also said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Mt.12:30 nlt) The fruit falling from the devil’s tree are those who oppose Christianity, Jesus as the only way to God. (Jn.14:6)
Not every apple that falls from the family tree of God is perfect. We have spots and maybe a worm or two inside, but we are not rotten but saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Bad apples don’t need to stay bad. The tree of life is available to all who accept Christ as savior. You won’t be a perfect apple, but you’ll be a good apple from the family tree of God.
“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:11-14 NIV
I haven’t come across many people who do not desire the good things in life. The good things of life may differ between individuals and between cultures. What is good for you may not be good for me and vice versa. But each of us desires to live life to the fullest in our cultural surroundings whatever they may be. Struggling to get the most out of life; good health, financial success, close friends, family, satisfying employment, plenty of leisure time, and other deeming qualities of a good life come up short many times. But does coming up short disqualify us from the good things in life? Is there anything we can do to prevent missing out on these good things?
King David gives us a couple of suggestions in helping us live the good life. His advice is based on having the right character qualities. One whose character is free from slander, speaking falsely, participating in shady things, or causing trouble goes a long way in having a good life. David writes, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Ps.34:12-14 niv)
We think we are not that bad saying, ‘I don’t tell any white lies or make-up stories to hurt someone, and I certainly don’t gossip!’ We also say, ‘I am not an evil person’ and that may be true in comparison with others, but God looks at all sin as evil. And when we say we should all live in peace and love one another, are we truly pursing it as we pursue trying to live our lives to the fullest?
None of us is able to live life to the fullest on our own. God has given us His Word to show us how to live a fulfilled life by obeying it. And more importantly, God sent His Son to save us and reconcile us to God. Therefore, it is impossible to live a totally fulfilled life without Christ. Jesus says, “…… I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (Jn.10:10b niv)
“But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Mark 10:6-9 NLT
We are halfway through this year, 2025, and a little more than halfway through our study in the book of Mark, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Going through an entire book forces you to cover every topic within its pages. Some are controversial and subject to debate, especially among Christians, but to skip over these topics would be noticeable and negligent in not presenting all of God’s Word for it is for our benefit. This week we have such a topic, ‘divorce.’ When reading and studying the Bible it is vital to know who the author is. God, the Holy Spirit spoke His Word through men to be recorded for us to know Him, His message of salvation, and how to live our lives. There are many passages in the Bible that are hard to deal with, but they are God’s Words for us live by. As we unpack these difficult passages a clearer understanding will develop with the Spirit’s help. He will guide us into truth and a deeper understanding of God’s love for us. We have learned much over the last six months listening to Jesus teach His disciples in various subjects. Now we will hear Jesus’ teaching on divorce, His Words on the subject.
I realize there are many who are reading this who have gone through the tragedy and heartbreak of a divorce. Living in a broken world, the effects of sin touch each of lives in different ways. Those who know the Lord as savior will find comfort in the God of all Comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” (2Cor.1:3 esv) Be assured God is a merciful, loving God who comforts us in our time of need. Whatever your circumstances, the Lord God has not abandoned you. He is right there, the God of all comfort, especially in a divorce.
We begin with a familiar scene. Jesus is once again surrounded by a crowd of people who have gathered to hear Him teach. And once again, the Pharisees show up with another attempt to discredit Jesus. They ask Jesus a question in hopes of turning the crowd against Him making it easier to accuse Him later in their attempts to have Jesus put to death. They asked Him, “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?” (Mk.10:2 nlt) It was the divorce of Herod and his remarriage to Herodias John the Baptist spoke against that put him in jail and eventually lose his life. Jesus was in Herod’s ruling district, so this was a perfect set up to catch Jesus saying a word against an unlawful divorce. The Pharisees would then interject Herod’s name as an example. But, as always, Jesus was not going to play their games.
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Jesus answered them by asking them a question. “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?” (Mk.10:3 nlt) Jesus’ ground rules were, what does Scripture say? They replied Moses permitted it. A man was allowed to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away. What the Pharisees failed to include in their answer were the conditions of Moses’ permission. The Old Testament reference for permission of divorce is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. It is important to remember, the Mosaic Law did not command but permitted divorce, and the Pharisees knew this. Divorce was a reality, and permission was granted to protect the wife’s reputation, along with securing women’s rights, and to regulate remarriage. A man had to affirm the reason for the divorce. This would free the wife of suspected wrongdoing or immorality if that was not the case. She would then be free to remarry being released from her husband. There were two schools of thought among the Pharisees concerning divorce in Jesus’ day. The liberal wing, those who followed Hillel, favored that a man could divorce his wife for any reason. Shammai said only adultery was sufficient grounds for a divorce. Now we listen to what Jesus has to say.
“But Jesus responded, ‘He (Moses) wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.’” (Mk.10:5-9 nlt)
Jesus doesn’t answer according to tradition or to the current culture of His days. He answers through the Word of God explaining God’s intentions from the beginning. Jesus first calls out their hard hearts. Moses’ words weren’t a command but a concession because of their spiritual condition. It was never part of God’s original plan to consider divorce. Jesus goes back to the Old Testament book of Genesis and God’s creation order. (In the beginning male and female, distinctive beings, the man and the woman leave their families, are married, and now are one in the eyes of God.) What God has joined together let no one split apart. This is God’s creation order to be maintained. When followed, a lot of trouble and heartache are avoided.
Later, the disciples brought up the subject again as they usually do when they were alone with Him. Jesus answered, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.” (Mk.10:11-12 nlt) During this time, the Jewish practice of divorce was initiated and settled by the husband, not a court. His written letter of divorce did not release him from God’s law of marriage. So, they were still married, and adultery would ensue for both parties after the fact.
Jesus did note an exception for divorce. Mark did not record it in his book; however, Matthew does in his gospel by quoting Jesus. “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Mt.19:9 niv) The apostle Paul also notes an exception in writing to the church in Corinth. “(But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)” (1Cor.7:15 nlt)
Divorce is a hard subject to address, even more so for one has gone through it. The Lord God has given us His life principles to live by in this sinful world. We don’t always follow His instructions and at times fall into a bad situation. But our God is an all-forgiving God bestowing mercy and grace to all who come to Him in their time of need. Remember He is the God of all comfort who will see you through whatever your circumstances you are in when you surrender to Him, even in a divorce.
“Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time. The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.” Daniel 11:27-28 NLT
Years ago, many Bible preachers would be heard saying ‘read the headlines in the newspaper and you’ll find much the same in the Bible.’ It still applies today to any creditable news source. The Lord has laid out for us the good, the bad, and the ugly along with future events and the recorded past in His Word. God does not want us to be ill informed, but to know the signs of the times. The evil times in which we live, as bad as they are, have been on-going since Cain and Abel. God has given us His Word, reliable for truth, for us to know who to trust in our troubled times.
In Daniel chapter 11, a conference was prophesied to take place between two kings, Antiochus and Ptolemy, who lie to each other at the conference table. Deception to the hurt of the other was politics as usual as it is today. Our News headlines are the same as centuries ago. Antiochus was also a vile individual who hated the Jews, persecuting them and desecrating the Temple. (Dan.8;13) Sounds like a current day news story, hatred of the Jews by some of our world leaders.
For Christians it comes down to this, whose leadership do we trust today. Every one of our most trusted leaders across this world has flaws of some kind. Conferences, peace talks, etc. don’t have long-lasting effects and never will. The Lord God is where our trust should be. May we see the events happening in our world as God at work leading the nations and let us be content, He is in control.
There are some countries around the world that are relatively orderly, peaceful, and prosperous. You may be saying to yourself, name some because I would like to move there. It is true that many nations don’t resemble a place of tranquility. We do live in a fallen world, so we might expect it, but that does not mean there can’t peace and prosperity in the days we live, even if it is only for a period of time.
Christians should be working towards the peace and prosperity of the country where we live. Christians are the biggest influence in their surrounding communities to make things happen because we have the biggest influencer supporting us, the Lord God. The first step in being an influencer to bring about change through prayer. The Lord told the captives of Judah as they were carried off to Babylon to do just that. They certainly did not want to be exiled in a heathen land, but the Lord God told them to “work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jer.29:7 nlt) Simply put, God commanded them to pray for their city, a pagan city. As their city prospered, so would they and there would be peace.
You may be living in a pagan country today, but the Lord’s command is the same as the captive people of Judah to pray for the nation and its leaders. The second step is to start working towards peace and prosperity. You and a few others may be the only hope you and your neighbors have of living a peaceful life due to your prayers and working as the Lord leads you. It will not only bring glory and honor to God through the welfare of all, but it will open the door to share the gospel of Christ, the only true source of peace in the world. Pray for the peace and prosperity of your country wherever you reside.
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NLT
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Have you ever received an ‘I’ as a mark in place of a grade on your school report card? ‘I’ or ‘incomplete’ notes you haven’t finished the course to receive a passing or failing grade. You didn’t fail, but you didn’t pass either. You failed to complete the course. Except for certain uncontrollable circumstances, failing to complete the course could be considered failing. This may seem a little harsh, but you did fail by not completing the assignments to receive a grade. Some educators today are too quick to mark an ‘I’ when it is not warranted.
The apostle Paul would never give out an ‘I’ as a teacher nor would he accept one. Paul was determined to go back to Jerusalem by the leading of the Holy Spirit although he knew that chains awaited him. Waiting near the docks of Miletus, Paul called for the elders at Ephesus. When they arrived, he gave them some final instructions and informed them they would not see each other again. Paul emphasized he still had work to do. He said his life would mean nothing if he didn’t finish the work the Lord Jesus gave him to do. Even prison, which may be a legitimate excuse, would not stop him from preaching the Good News. Paul did not want an ‘I’ on his report card.
Remember how you felt on those days your grades came out. Christians should have that feeling year-round for we do not know when our final report card is coming out. I don’t say this to put us into a state of panic, but to encourage us to complete what God has given us to do in this life. The Lord has given each of us our own assignments to accomplish, but all of us have the same work Paul had, telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ. We don’t want to be given an ‘I’ on that day but to hear ‘well done good and faithful servant.’
Every corner of the world has a dawn and a sunset. The start of our day and the end of it don’t exclude any of us. How often do we take the time to thank the Lord for another day and the beauty of the sunrise and sunset? On cloudy and rainy days, it may may be hard, but it is a new day God has given us to enjoy. He has filled this earth with His wonders of creation. The mountains, oceans, forest, the meadows, valleys, and even the desert plains all shout for joy in their creation.
This past weekend I was reminded of God’s dawn and sunset as I spent a quiet weekend with family in a cabin in the woods on a riverbank. As much as I was in awe, it was the same dawn and sunset I experienced at home, but somehow I miss it more days than not. More importantly it is the same God who is reminding me of the new day He has given me. God gives each of us across this earth a new day to glorify Him and work His will. It’s not by chance the sun rises and sets, it’s by God’s amazing order of creation and His sustaining the earth.
Too many days are wasted taking the sunrise and sunset for granted. Yes, we have many responsibilities to tend to, but a simple recognition and thanks to our creator who gives us each day to work and enjoy in His presence will make a world of difference. If the dawn and sunset shout for joy, we should also, but don’t wait until you’re in a cabin in the woods.
“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.” Zechariah 10:6 ESV
Are there periods of time in your life when you feel out of place? You are not where you’re supposed to be. Maybe through a fault of or own, or not, but you are out of place. Perhaps some sin drew you to this place of discomfort and though you don’t want to admit it, you know it’s true. You either put yourself there or the Lord put you there to chastise you, or both. There is a way out, there is good news on the horizon for those who know and trust God. You are not rejected forever if you are His child. When you call out to God in repentance, asking for forgiveness He will answer you and you’ll soon be back where you belong.
Both the ten tribes of Israel in the north, and the tribes of Benjamin and Judah in the south were taken captive to a place they didn’t belong. Both due to their continual sin against the Lord God and refusing to obey His commandments. The Lord has promised to restore them fully as if He had never rejected them. The southern tribes were returned to their land seventy years after captivity but never again had full autonomy. The northern tribes never regain their self-governing either. But one day, as God has promised, both will be restored again as one nation in the millennial kingdom.
God’s promise to the children of Israel is a promise all Christians can hold to as His chosen people in Christ. The Lord will have compassion on you as you seek and obey Him bringing you back where you belong, in His will.
Have you ever given thought that Jesus has prayed for you? Jesus had a specific petition for all future Christians who would make up His church. Near the end of His “high priestly prayer” recorded in John’s gospel chapter 17, Jesus made His requests known soon before He was to go to the cross. He prayed that we would be with Him in eternity and see His Glory, but His specific request was that we all be one in complete unity. Imagine as Jesus was about to be crucified, His concern for us was for there to be unity. So how are we doing?
Before we answer, perhaps it would good for us to know why Jesus made this request. Jesus reasoned, ‘that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them.’ You made have heard the statement; ‘The only Christ the world will see, is the Christ they see in me.’ That is very true, and Jesus confirms it later in His prayer as He says, ‘O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you.’ (Jn.17:25 nlt) Indeed, most of the world does not know God. Many have heard of God and have somewhat of a knowledge of Him, but they do not know the true God and Jesus Christ His Son.
As the world looks at the church and individual Christians today, do they see unity? Do they see the love of Christ between us? Are we in a unifying fashion convincing the world that Jesus is God’s Son sent to save us from eternal damnation? Does the world see their spiritual need by observing authentic Christianity in unity, or is it muddled by in-fighting, pride, and disagreements in doctrine not essential to Salvation? There are legitimate differences of opinion in the teaching of scripture in churches today, but they should not be at the expense of alienating those outside of Christ from hearing the message of the Gospel. So how are we doing in displaying our message of unity?
Last week in Biblical Insights, Jesus’ disciples were arguing among themselves who will be the greatest in the kingdom. To that Jesus taught them true greatness was with the one who serves. This week Jesus has another lesson to teach His followers, what is ‘true discipleship?’
“John said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.’” (Mk.9:38 nlt) The disciples took it upon themselves to stop the man performing these exorcisms. The man, obviously, wasn’t a fraud or he wouldn’t be able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name. He must have been a believer in Jesus, but the disciples only saw that he wasn’t one of them. Their selfish ambition took over and perhaps some jealousy as they previously failed to cast out a demon. Jesus told them not to stop him. He didn’t care about the details but pointed out that one who was for Him would not be against Him. Once anyone performed a miracle in Jesus’ name they would not speak ill of Him. There’s no middle ground when it comes to Jesus.
The disciples’ reaction to the outsider is all too common within the church today and among certain Christians. Those outside our circle are often looked at as inferior or not as spiritual as us. The disciples thought they had an inside track to Jesus, which they had in their calling, but Jesus’ view of discipleship was more inclusive than His disciples realized. The church today needs to realize just how inclusive God’s kingdom is. But a word of caution in today’s language of ‘inclusive’, ‘inclusion’ ‘all accepting’ etc.. Jesus is the head of His church, and His Word, the Bible is the authority for all we do and how we conduct ourselves. Paul’s charge to the young Pastor Timothy was, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2Tim.3:16-17 nlt) The church must continue to abide by Biblical standards. We can do both, be inclusive and maintain Godly principles at the same time. That’s what we have to do. Let’s do it!
Jesus states there is no deed done in Jesus’ name that goes unnoticed. “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.” (Mk.9:41 nlt) No service done for Christ is unimportant. Those who do them are in Jesus’ circle as all who do great things for Hs name. They are the examples of ‘true discipleship.’
A warning is given by Jesus to those who cause a new Christian to stumble. Criticism of a new convert in their understanding and methods may cause them to turn away from Christ. The disciples trying to stop the man casting out demons could have him questioning Jesus later on. Enticing or leading a new believer into sin and/or doing the same to a child will bring about serious judgement from God. Jesus says, “it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.” (Mk.9:42 nlt) Some need to be careful not to lead in this way by example with no intention of harm. Concerning young people, there’s an old saying, ‘more is caught than taught.’ We all lead by example.
Jesus now uses hyperbole to make a point. Drastic measures need to be taken to eradicate sin from our lives. The most drastic step we can take is to come face to face with our sin, acknowledge it, see for what it is, what it is doing to us, and face reality. Jesus uses the examples of cutting off your hand, or foot, and gouge out an eye if any of these are causing you to sin. He says it is better to enter into eternity lame than to be cast whole into hell, “where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.” (Mk.9:48 nlt) The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “The seat of sin is the soul not any organ of the physical body.” All are born with a sin nature, we can’t dismiss that, nor can we change our nature, but the Holy Spirit can when we put our faith in Christ for salvation. We take on a new nature. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2Cor.5:17 nlt)
As we close this week it’s important we notice Jesus’ reference to hell. We don’t hear a lot about hell in our churches these days. Some people even doubt Jesus’ references to it. When doubting they need to omit, change, symbolize, or ignore Jesus’ sayings. In todays reading, The Greek word that is used for ‘hell’ is ‘geenna’ It is of Hebrew origin meaning “lamentation” from the Hebrew word ‘hinnōm’. There was a Valley of Hinnom southwest of Jerusalem. This area was very familiar to the Jewish people. It was once the place of worship to the god Moloch. Later, in Jesus’ day it was the city dump with fires burning continually. Worms or maggots were always present as Jesus said, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out. For everyone will be tested with fire” (Mk.9:48-49 nlt) Jewish thought was the Valley of Hinnom was a symbol of eternal punishment. They knew what Jesus was saying.
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Last, back to ‘true discipleship’ as we close. Jesus uses His analogy of salt once again from His Sermon on the Mount. This time He says, “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.” (Mk.9:50 nlt) True Discipleship can be recognized by being the salt of the earth. Total commitment to Christ, the gospel, living in agreement with our brothers and sisters in the faith, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ is true discipleship.
Word for the Soul 