March 16, 2022 – “Is Divorce Lawful?”

“Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:2-9

“Is Divorce Lawful?” Maybe we should ask the question “Why are there so many divorces?” Relationships are so important to Jesus. I think we can deduce this from the Gospels. Jesus consistently asks people to consider their relationship to G-d, and to each other, and how people could better these relationships.

We should understand all our relationships as a work in progress—and this could not be more truer than in the relationship of marriage. In a perfect world, there would be no need for laws about divorce and the need for Jesus to focus so much of his teaching on how we are to relate to each other. In a perfect world, we would not need to consider divorce, because our relationships with each other would be, well, perfect. But, we do not live in a perfect world, and our relationships are often interrupted by sin. The imperfect nature of this world is the reason that our relationships go sour and for this reason, we need to know that, although divorce is not G-d’s preferred end for our relationships, it is still necessary in many circumstances because of neglect, brokenness, and abuse.

But divorce should not be misused neither. Love for each other and the love of G-d should be at the heart of all of our relationships. But, when our relationships do suffer, we need to know that G-d is there to sustain us in the difficult times and to bring healing in all aspects of our lives. While human love is imperfect, G-d’s love is unconditional and limitless.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we pray today that you will be in all of our relationships. Help me to lead with love always. Amen.

Pastor Dave