September 8, 2008

Key Passage: Matthew 19:1-12

Topic: Christian Living; God

He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:4-6, ESV)

Once again, the Pharisees come to Jesus with a controversial question. It leads to a long discussion on marriage, divorce, Moses and the Law, the sin-hardened hearts of people, and whether or not singleness is a better deal.

It's a complex question, but did you notice Jesus' first response to the Pharisees? He said, "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" He always goes back to God's Word, to the original design and instruction God gives. And that's where we need to start when we have questions about marriage, divorce or any number of issues.

You see, God created marriage as an amazing union of a man and woman. And they become one.

One--a union, even a mystery. Two people, involved and connected with each other in a way that's practically indescribable. No, they don't "lose their identity," but they no longer have the right to operate as fully separate individuals, doing their own thing for their own reasons and their own pleasures. There's now someone else to consider, needs to meet, joys to share, choices to make.

So to put it another way, we're to set aside our own rights and pleasures in order to give or serve or love another...and we don't do that very well. Sadly, we're selfish, sinful people. That's the hard-heartedness Jesus refers to. The real tragedy of divorce begins when we allow certain things to break that connection: unfaithfulness, moral failure, adultery, etc.

Marriage is meant to be a living illustration of Jesus' unique relationship with the Church, the Body of Believers. It's meant to provide comfort and strength for the journey of life; to share the joys and multiply our service and worship to God. It's to be a good thing for our lives, not a disaster waiting to happen.

No where does God endorse, bless or encourage divorce. But He does recognize the sad fact of our sinful, adulterous, faithless hearts. After all, look how faithless we've been to Him! And while He may have allowed a provision, it's not His preferred plan.