Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV)
Read Mark 10:2-16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" Verse 3He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" Verse 4They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." Verse 5But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. Verse 6But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' Verse 7'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, Verse 8and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Verse 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Verse 10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. Verse 11He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; Verse 12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Verse 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. Verse 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Verse 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Verse 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Devotion
The gospel promise unites God's intention for creation and the steady, transforming imprint of Jesus' serving, blessing and calling together. From Genesis we learn that God intends for us to live in harmony, peace and love. From Jesus we learn God's faithfulness in gathering us as children.
How do we picture the scene? Are these quiet, compliant, beautifully groomed children in clean, perfectly pressed garments? Or are they real children—active, inquisitive, rambunctious, with skinned knees and runny noses and protests about who is getting the biggest cookie? It does not help us to be idealistic or romantic about our children or ourselves. Life is messy and unfair. Self-righteousness is neither helpful nor true. Jesus keeps alive the imagination that Genesis began: God will call God's creation together again. And again. And again.
The theologian Krister Stendahl said he awoke each morning to wonder where God is mending the world today. Where do you see God mending the world? How does God call you to serve this mending?
Prayer
God, help us see you calling us together and calling us to help you mend your world. Amen.