He's Only Human - Mat. 19:7-8

"'Then why did Moses say a man could merely write an official letter of divorce and send her on her way?' they asked. Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted divorce as a concession to your hard-hearted wickedness, but it was not what God originally intended...'" Mat. 19:7-8

This could not have gone over well with the Pharisees. Jesus basically said that Moses was wrong in allowing divorce. Here is Jesus, the guy that the Pharisees are skeptical of to begin with, telling them that their patriarch, Moses, was actually the one who was wrong! Worse yet, he was blaming THEM for Moses' actions! Jesus is giving them the unadulterated truth--the truth that even Moses was not strong enough to implement in the face of opposition. It's sort of refreshing (in a self-serving kind of way) to see these pillars of our faith, from time to time, show their "humanness."

Lord, thank you for all those who have gone before us who had the faith to step out constantly in your name--what an example they set! I pray that you give me the strength to not worry about my human failings and weaknesses, and simply trust you. After all, YOU CHOSE ME in spite of myself!

Today's reading: 1Chron. 16; Ps. 106; Mat. 19