Bible Pathways 10/17/2000
October 17
Mark 10 -- 11
The Pharisees asked Jesus: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? He answered: 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 shall be one flesh: so then they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (Mark 10:2, 6-9; Genesis 1:27; 2:24).
The husband and wife relationship is inseparably linked, both jointly and individually, under the authority of Christ (Romans 12:5; Galatians 3:28). You cannot separate submission to one another from submission to Christ. Most divorces are the outcome of not recognizing that God said to both the husband and the wife: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21). A mutually supportive attitude must characterize both husband and wife if they are to succeed in building a harmonious marriage. Both must recognize their responsibility of caring for each other's spiritual as well as physical well-being.
It is the husband's privilege and responsibility to provide for his wife's spiritual needs, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the Body. . . . Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church. . . . Let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband (Ephesians 5:23,25,33).
God created the world and put Adam in charge of it; He created woman to be his helpmate. Among other things, a helpmate is a co-partner who gives support. Perhaps most important is to be a companion to each other a best friend.
Jesus gave the key to true Christian success in the home, as well as in the Church, when He said: They which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45).
Like Jesus, the higher the Christian wishes to stand in the eyes of God, the more it will be his joy to be servant of all. He that is greatest among you shall be your servant (Matthew 20:27; 23:11). The more we become like Christ, the lower we willingly stoop to serve all those around us. On occasion, the faithful servant, like Jesus, may need to wash the feet of a Judas who will reward him with ingratitude. But the servant of Christ is always caring for the interests of his Master since his Master is the King of kings. The servant recognizes that to love and to serve like Jesus did is the highest privilege and brings the greatest spiritual joy. Nowhere is this more important than in the home. Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).
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 Psa. 118:26. Mark 11:17: See Isa. 56:7; Jer. 7:11.
Government Officials: Rep. Virgil Goode, Jr. (VA), Rep. Gene Green (TX), and Rep. David Hobson (OH) · Pray for Evangelist Robert Shushu, Swahili translator in Tanzania · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in memory of Parents Mr. & Mrs. Harold Roome · Country: Ethiopia (53 million) in eastern Africa · Major languages: Amharic and Tigrinya · Unsettled after overthrow of communist regime · 41% Eastern Orthodox; 35% Muslim; 10% Protestant; 10% animist; .7% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Pray that you will obey the Word of God and not be just a deceived hearer (James 1:22).
Memory Verse for the Week:
Hebrews 3:13
