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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Moses
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Jesus answered [the Pharisees] with a question: "What did Moses say in the law about divorce?" "Well, he permitted it," they replied. "He said a man..."

Illustration

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

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 4, 2024

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Time to Pray' (Ep. 6:18-19)
"Dear Father, May I fill my time with prayer and entreaties to you. Help me to keep alert for prayer. And to keep on, and keep on, and keep on. I..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Sweet Reassurance' (Re. 14:13)
"Then I [John] heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Zephaniah 1:5
"Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah, and bowed at the same time to..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'This Is the Truth!' (Acts 24:14-16)
"[In responding to the accusations made against him, Paul denied they were true, and then went on to say:] "But I admit that I follow the Way, which....."

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.

More What Jesus Did!