‘When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.”’ Matthew 19:1-9(NLT)
Thoughts on the message
People still try and use divorce to divide people.
In Jesus’ time there were two opinions on divorce. One said men could divorce whenever they wished and another said what Jesus said. It was a divisive issue. Jesus goes back to the beginning of marriage—and shows that God never wanted divorce to happen. When they bring up Moses allowing divorce, Jesus basically says this:
“Divorce happens because people are sinful. Divorce happens because people have a sinful nature and follow it. Be people who have been restored by God—and live together as God designed us.”
If we are truly living as redeemed, restored and regenerated humanity, then we can deal with our differences with God’s help.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for my wife. She has been a tremendous blessing to me in so many ways. It has not always been easy—we both struggle with our fallen human weaknesses. Still, as we have committed to follow Jesus and God’s Word, He has strengthened us to handle these challenges. Father, without Your help—we see what happens. It is a picture of brokenness that goes through the generations. The saddest thing? None of it needs to happen. I pray that my wife and I continue to look to You when we struggle, and I pray for my family and friends that You protect them, restore, and heal any brokenness in their marriages. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
from Forgiveness & Marriage—Disciple Makers Series #19