Mark 10:1-12
Why are the Pharisees asking Jesus about divorce? They're trying to test Jesus but why would they bring up the topic of divorce? It was a very controversial topic at that time, yet everyone agreed that divorce was LAWFUL. They always went back to this verse in the Bible: Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
Most Jews said it was okay and it was very common. However the reasons to divorce your wife were based on two main views: 1. If your wife cheats on you, you can divorce her (the minority view) and 2. Anything you don't like about your wife, you can divorce her (the majority view). If she can't cook well, she loses attraction, doesn't make you happy, or anything as trivial as that, then it was totally okay.
It sounds a lot like today. The Pharisees are not asking because they want the truth. They're testing him because they expected him to have a radical view. More importantly, they thought his view would upset Herod Antipus, who beheaded John the Baptist. Jesus is under his jurisdiction.
Jesus goes to the Bible to answer their question: "What did Moses command you? They responded "Moses allowed us." The Pharisees were wrong in that response alone. Jesus said it was their sin that caused this law to come into existence and Jesus said they were asking the wrong question. They should have been asking "What's God's design and purpose for marriage?"
Jesus tells us three basic things: 1. Marriage is between one man and one woman (vs. 6). 2. Hold fast (glue yourself) to your wife. In marriage 1 +1 = 1. It's no longer about ME. It's "WE". 3. Marriage is inseparable. Marriage is meant for life and divorce happens because of sin. It was never intended that way. See verse 11: Divorce equals committing adultery. These words sting. However, this is not a passage about God not loving you. God loves you and will forgive you or he has already forgiven you if you have repented of it.
In this passage, Jesus is talking to men who aren't really interested in saving their marriages. The Pharisees are seeking legal ground to divorce their wives. If you got divorced for this reason, then Jesus is definitely speaking to you.
There are only two possible permissible reasons for divorce: 1. Sexual immorality (Matthew 19) and 2. Marriage do a non-believer and that non-believing spouse wants to leave the marriage (1 Corinthians 7).
Unless you're in one of those two categories, then it's strictly forbidden. However, that's not really the point. Divorce wasn't God's design in the first place. Ephesians 5:31-32 tells us that God created marriage between Christ and the Church. If that's what marriage is all about then we can understand Malachi 2 where it shows God hating divorce since God hates sin. What does that say about God's love if the covenant is broken? It tells us that God's love isn't unconditional and it's breakable. It's a total distortion of the Gospel. It also destroys families and relationships.
Singles: Make sure your view of marriage is God's. Make it stick in your head that you will never divorce your spouse because God won't divorce me.
Single men: Love your wife like Christ loves the church. It's a huge responsibility since Christ died for the church. You die to yourself so that your spouse can live.
Single women: Submit to your husband like you submit to the Lord.
Married couples: God understands your situation. He knows how to live with difficult people, who spit on him, rebuked him, and even killed him. He died to save those people. Do everything you can to save your marriage if you're having a really difficult time. Pray, fast, and get your brothers and sisters involved. God never intended for divorce and you have to remember that.
Divorced/Remarried people: God loves you. Nothing can change that. There's no sin that isn't covered by the cross. God will forgive you and there's a day coming when everyone will be married to the perfect husband: When Jesus unites with us forever. You will be spotless and blameless and will love Jesus perfectly.
Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy
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