PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 10:1-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10:2)
The religious leaders are using Deuteronomy 24:1-4 to test Jesus.
The question was not ‘what is the loving thing to do’ but ‘what can we get away with?’
Jesus exposes their motive – hard hearts – and reveals the real issue – failure to love.
“Anyone who divorces… and marries another… commits adultery against…” (Mark 10:11)
It is a cruel, unloving, unfaithful act, an act of violence and betrayal.
This is not about any and every divorce, but divorce motivated by selfishness.
God created marriage for love and companionship, for loyalty and faithfulness.
There are times when keeping a marriage together can be difficult or impossible.
Divorce may be unavoidable, if your partner does not cooperate, but fight while you can.
This is a challenge to the hard-hearted one: pursue love, not loopholes!
As Jesus followers, look for ways to keep it together, not for excuses to rip it apart.
When ‘one flesh’ is ripped in two, there is always blood (pain, sadness, suffering).
There is mercy for the victims of divorce, and for those who realize their failure to love.
In the end, ‘what is the loving thing to do’ is what counts, not ‘what can I get away with’?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I use your words as an excuse, rather than as a call to selfless, other-serving love. Soften my heart, and make me as eager to love as you are for me!
When we make a vow – we cannot treat it lightly. We will be held in account. Jesus warns us – be careful. When I made a vow in church with many witnesses – I am bound by that to keep it. I can’t shirk it and ignore it like so many so easily do today. There can be good reasons for separation I am sure – but there always consequences. Separated people suffer that. There is also forgiveness for the contrite. Jesus said let your yes be yes and your no, no, so I’m thinking don’t add to it by adding a curse or a vow!
Hardness of heart prevents people listening to the Lord. It is still true this day that the hardness of heart people do not listen to the gospel message – love and repentance. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. God must be first in all things, in my relationships and my desire to be one in my marriage.
1
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
2
Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
3
Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds out from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!