Marriage and Divorce

Scripture:  Matthew 19:1-12 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. 3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ 5 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.’ 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” 7 “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. 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. 9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.” 10 Jesus’ disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!” 11 “Not everyone can accept this statement,” Jesus said. “Only those whom God helps. 12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.” (Matthew 19:1–12 NLT)

To correctly interpret scripture we must know its core message, what it meant to the hearers in their cultural and religious context. Then to correctly apply it we must take that core message and apply it in our context.

This question was intended by the Pharisees to trap Jesus. This was a divisive and disputed matter then as now and they hoped to catch him on the “wrong side” of the issue. Men were allowed to easily divorce their wives, but wives were not allowed to divorce their husbands. Then, as now, this is an issue of equally valuing women and men, and not allowing men, in a privileged position, to abuse or take advantage of women. Jesus did not treat divorce and remarriage as an unforgivable sin!

Jesus didn’t take sides in the divorce controversy. He emphasized God’s intent that marriage be permanent because in marriage, two people become one. Jesus is clear that because of hard-heartedness, divorce is inevitable, but has its consequences. And then this: “Not everyone can accept this statement, but anyone who can, should!”

Prayer:

Father, I accept Jesus’ statement on marriage. Please help us all accept the ideal and then work graciously with reality. May great grace be upon us all! In Jesus’ Name!