Just be nice

The Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday causes a lot of problems especially problems with interpretation and application (Mark 10:2-16).  Is this passage about the grounds under which one may divorce?  Is this passage about Jesus' interpretation of the divorce law according to Moses?  Does this passage really say that all those who divorce and remarry commit adultery?  Is this passage about the goods of marriage?  Is this passage about Jesus elevating the social status of women and children?  These are certainly all logical questions given the text.

During this morning's Bible study we were grinding it out as they say.  I don't know if it was the rain or the passage but it seemed as if every word of reflection was laborious.  Then someone said something completely off topic, the skies parted, and we came to a better understanding of what the text is teaching us about Jesus and his kingdom.

In short someone recalled a Bible study where the message of the day basically said, "just be nice."  Being nice will get you far in life.  Being nice is certainly a standard that many of us strive for.  There is a lot right about being nice.  However, I am not sure being nice will open our eyes to the kingdom of God.

In our society, being nice justifies a lot and covers a multitude of sins. A message that says "just be nice" is a type of moral code or unspoken law of society.  The Pharisees are also referring to a law made by society.  In short, one might say that this divorce law was created to justify their actions .

This divorce law was the best humanity could do given the circumstances.  According to God's law, no one who is brought together in marriage can separate.  So divorce is kind of like the warning sticker on the side of a bottle of Drano.  The maker of the product never intended for someone to drink the stuff but someone did so there is a sticker.  In a similar way, being nice is the best we can do given the circumstances. 

However, I do not believe Jesus is interested in us just settling for the justification of our actions through another law.  Jesus isn't interested in justifying divorce.  He is obviously interested in naming the goods of marriage.  He is interested in elevating women in society.  However, I think he is most interested in teaching us how to receive the kingdom of God.  Jesus is interested in justification by grace. 

Receiving the kingdom of God is not based on our strict following of a moral code.  We do not receive the kingdom of God because we have somehow justified our actions through human law.  Jesus said that such laws are created out of hardness of heart.

We receive the kingdom of God if we receive it in the same way a child would receive it.  In the passage for today, some scholars suggest that the children Jesus received were one year old.  That means these children were helpless and were completely reliant on their parents.  That means receiving the kingdom of God is based on complete trust in the one who creates us.  That means receiving the kingdom is based on recognizing life as a gift.  That means receiving the kingdom is based on God's unmerited favor towards us.

In order to receive the kingdom, we cannot find our identity in the justifications of actions.  We must find our identity in Christ, in the one who justifies the whole world through his life, death, and resurrection, through his life of grace.