Jesus: God Planned Marriage, Not Divorce
1Jesus left town. [1] He went south to the region of Judea and then east across the Jordan River. Once again, crowds gathered around him. He did what he usually did when that happened: he taught the folks. 2Some Pharisees approached him with a trick question. [2] They asked him if Jewish law allowed a man to divorce his wife.3Jesus asked them a question in return: “What did Moses tell you about that?”
4They said, “Moses allowed a man to give his wife a written note saying she was now divorced. Then the man could send the woman on her way.”
5Jesus said, “Moses gave you that commandment because you people have a heart problem. Your heart’s too hard. 6I’m telling you this, God made man and woman. It has been that way since the beginning of creation. 7‘That’s why a man leaves his parents for a woman. The man and woman become part of each other. 8They are two people, yet one.’ [3] So they’re no longer just two people. They’re united as one. 9No human should break up what God put together.”
10When the disciples got alone with Jesus inside the house, they asked him what he meant. 11Jesus told them, “Any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery. 12And any woman who divorces [4] her husband and marries another man is committing adultery too.” [5]
Act like a Kid to Get into God’s Kingdom
13Some people brought their children to Jesus so he could touch them. But the disciples stopped them and criticized them. 14Jesus saw this and got upset. He told the disciples, “Let those children come over here to me. Don’t try to stop them. God’s kingdom belongs to them.15“I’ll tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child is someone who will never see the inside of it.” 16Jesus picked up children and put his hands on them as he offered a blessing for them. [6]
Too Rich for God’s Kingdom
17Jesus set out on another road trip. [7] A man came running up to him. The man dropped to his knees in front of Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to make sure I get to live forever?”18Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good. [8] 19You know the commandments: ‘Don’t murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t lie about people. Don’t cheat people. Respect your father and mother.’” [9]
20The man answered, “I’ve kept all these laws since I was a kid.”
21Jesus looked hard at the man for a moment and then put his hand on the man’s shoulder. [10] Jesus said, “You’re still missing something. Sell everything you have. Then give all the money to the poor. Once you do that, you’ll have treasure in heaven. And you can come and follow me.”
22The man’s heart sank into his stomach as he walked away. He was richer than all get out.
23Jesus looked at the people around him and then said to his disciples, “How tough it is for rich people to find their way into God’s kingdom.” 24That shocked the disciples. [11] Jesus said, “I’m telling you, children, it’s hard to get into God’s kingdom. 25Listen, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to make it through to the kingdom of God.”
26That certainly raised some eyebrows among the disciples. Talking to one another, they said, “Well then, who can be saved?”
27Jesus looked over at them and said, “No one could be saved if it were up to humans. It’s impossible for them. But it’s not impossible for God. Everything is possible with God.”
28Peter said, “Well, we’ve left everything of ours behind so we could follow you.”
29Jesus said, “Here’s the truth. Those of you who have left your home or your brothers and sisters or your parents or your children or your land—when you have done it out of devotion to me and to the good news I’ve been teaching about God’s kingdom— 30you are going to get 100 times more in this lifetime than you left behind. More houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and land. But it comes with persecution. Yet it comes with eternal life too. 31Many people who are first and foremost in this world will be last and least in the world to come. And many who are last and least now will be first and foremost then.” [12]
Jesus Predicts His Death
32Jesus walked in front of the group as they headed up the road toward Jerusalem. By this time, everyone was in absolute awe. They were afraid too. [13] Jesus pulled the 12 disciples aside. He warned them about what was going to happen to him. 33“Look, we’re going up to the hills to Jerusalem. There, the Son of Humans will get arrested and handed over to the top priests and the scribes. [14] They’ll sentence him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles [15] for execution. 34They’ll make a joke out of him. They’ll spit on him. They’ll beat him. Then they’ll kill him. But after three days, he’ll come back to life.” [16]James and John Ask a Little Favor
35Zebedee’s sons, James and John, asked Jesus for a favor. “Teacher, there’s something we would like you to do for us.”36Jesus said, “Okay, what is it you want me to do for you?”
37They said, “When you become king and sit on your throne in glory, give us the two top positions in your kingdom.” [17]
38Jesus said, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Do you really think you can drink from the bitter cup that’s waiting for me or wade through the terrible baptism I have to suffer?”
39“Yes we do,” they said.
Jesus answered, “And you will. You will drink from that cup. And you will be baptized with that baptism. 40But it’s not up to me who will sit in places of greatest honor. Those seats are reserved for the people who will be seated there.”
41The other 10 disciples were not at all happy about what they had just heard. They got mad at James and John.
42Jesus called the disciples over and said, “You’ve seen how rulers of other nations work. They’re supposed to lead their people. Instead, they flaunt authority and dominate their people. 43That’s not how it’s going to work for you. If you want to become a great leader, you have to become a great servant. 44If you want the top position, assume the servant’s position. 45Even the Son of Humans has to do that. He didn’t come here so everyone could serve him. He came to serve them. He’s here giving his life in a ransom payment to liberate a lot of people.”
Jesus Asks a Blind Man the Obvious Question
46Jesus and his disciples reached Jericho and were on their way out of town, followed by a large crowd. Sitting alongside the road was a blind beggar. His name was Bartimaeus. He was the son of Timaeus. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth walking by, he started to yell, “Son of David, Jesus, please help me!” 48A lot of people near the man told him to shut up. He yelled louder. He screamed, “Son of David, please help me!”49Jesus stopped and said, “Tell the man to come over here.”
So they did. They told the man, “You just got a reason to smile. Get up. He wants to see you.” 50The man tossed his cloak aside, jumped to his feet, and rushed to Jesus.
51Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see again.”
52Jesus told him, “Go. You’ve got faith and it has healed you.” Instantly, the man could see. He started following Jesus up the road to Jerusalem.
