Scripture

“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united to one. Since they are no longer two but one let no one split apart what God has joined together”

Observation

Jesus leaves Capernaum and travels down to Judah and the area east of the Jordan.

Some Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about divorce. Jesus says that, although the law of Moses permits divorce, it is only as a concession to the hard hearts of men. From the beginning, God intended a man and woman to leave their parents and become one. They are no longer two separate individuals, but one flesh. Therefore no ne should separate what God has joined together.

Later, when he is alone with his disciples, Jesus says that anyone, man or woman, who divorces their spouse and then remarries commits adultery.

Application

This section of scripture really confronts many of our society’s ideas, about sexuality and marriage.

Marriage in the Bible is a man and woman coming together to be one flesh.

There is no room for two people of the same sex coming together and calling it marriage.

Marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment. In God’s plans for his people, there is no idea of easy divorce. God joins a man and wife together. It is not up to us to separate them, nor is it up to the couple to end the relationship.

There are times when a husband or wife Is seriously abusive to their spouse. This is egregious and, I believe, nullifies the marriage covenant. Divorce is also allowed when one party commits adultery.

Marriage is more than a contractual agreement. Strong loving marriages create strong families and confident children who mature to be responsible adults. Strong marriages reduce welfare dependence and other draws on the government.

Christians must take a stand for marriage, no matter how unpopular that is.

Listen

Lord, what do you want to tell me about marriage?

Keith, I brought you halfway across the world to connect you with Margaret. Of course that is not the only reason I persuaded your parents to migrate from England to Australia, but it was part of it. Your marriage is one that I established. I joined you and Margaret together and I am committed to strengthening the bonds that hold you together.

Over the years, I have blinded you both to opportunities for adultery. When evil spirits attacked your relationships, it was in those times that I gave you greater love for one another.

Other marriages do not have my blessing in the same way. If people marry foolishly or in rebellion against me, I have not joined them together. They are on their own. Marriage gives some protection, but without my blessing it is much harder.

So honour your wife and love her and let our partnership be the three stranded cord that cannot be broken.