Ready for Hard Answers

Scripture – Mark 10:1-5: ¹Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. ²Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” ³“What did Moses command you?” he replied. ⁴They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” ⁵“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.

Reflection: According to the Jewish law, a husband could divorce his wife for any reason he wanted. Even if he was just tired of having her around, he could write out the certificate and send her away. It was that easy – and that unfair.

So on one level, the answer to the Pharisees’ question is “yes.” It was lawful. However, is it right? That’s the question Jesus is about to address. His answer is in tomorrow’s reading.

For today, I’m reminded of what someone once told me: “Don’t ask me questions you don’t want me to answer.” Sometimes I avoid taking things to Christ because I don’t want to hear His answer. Yet He will always be honest. He will always be right. And He will always answer out of love.

Lord, lead me to a deeper place in my heart where I have difficult questions. Give me courage to ask them and readiness to hear your answers. You always have my best in mind. Help me remember that.