Two big ones in this chapter I think: familial relationships are important but must not get between you and God and secondly, the interaction with the rich young ruler is huge!

First, Jesus points out that divorce is not the plan. Here is helpful. Jesus states that divorce was not God’s plan, and at His time it was being badly abused (as were many aspects of the law). Jesus rights the wrong and shows the plan, again.

Yet later Jesus strongly states that following Him may cost you a family. This does not mean that you must remove yourself from your family, per se, but that following Him May leave you with no choice or they may leave you. This is tough and needs wisdom to fully grasp.

The rich young ruler is a case in point: Jesus only chooses a few commandments for him and he claims to have followed them. Yet the ones left out and the ruler’s response show that it isn’t about money at all, but a heart condition that puts God second and his own life first. He doesn’t understand what “good” is and Jesus sets him straight!