What Jesus Did! 'Hardheartedness' — Mark 10:4-5

Thursday, July 4, 2024

"Well, [Moses] permitted it," [the Pharisees] replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."

But Jesus responded, "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts."

— Mark 10:4-5 NLT

Key Thought

What Moses did in allowing the children of Israel a legal means of divorce [1] was done only as a concession. Divorce was not God's original plan. It was not what was best for the people involved. It was allowed only because of the hard hearts of the people who wouldn't honor their vows to each other and to God. In a world where people continue to break their vows, refuse to be faithful to each other, and wound their children and each other, the focus shouldn't be the legality of the concession, but the focus should be prevention of divorce through healthy and loving marriages and restoration of the people broken by divorce.

[1] See Mark 10:1-4 and the previous three WJD! devotionals (July 1, 2, and 3).

Today's Prayer

God, I ask first that you help me be a faithful, loyal, and loving person who lives up to the vows, promises, and pledges that I make. Second, dear Father, I pray that you use me to encourage others to do the same. Finally, Righteous Father, I ask that you show me the best ways to help restore and encourage those who have been wounded by divorce. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Malachi 2:13-16
  • 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
  • Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 10:4-5 NLT — "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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