PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 10:1-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law.” (Mark 10:5)
There are times when keeping a marriage together can be difficult or impossible.
If your partner is abusive, unfaithful, if they leave you for someone else.
But there are also times when we are the problem, when our hearts are hard.
Divorce (broken promises) was never God’s design in the beginning (v.6-9).
It was included by Moses because people can be stubborn, blind, selfish.
But this doesn’t make it good, positive or beneficial to all involved.
When ‘one flesh’ is ripped in two, there is always blood (pain, sadness, suffering).
God is merciful, He meets us in our messes, and tries to help us out of them.
Here Jesus reminds us of the seriousness of the sin that leads to divorce.
Sin remains serious (which is why Jesus had to die for it), but God remains merciful.
If you have made vows before God in marriage, take them seriously.
Look for God’s help to honour them, not to break them.
Divorce may be unavoidable, you may be willing but your partner not.
But at least you can fight it while you can, and trust God’s mercy if it falls apart.
PRAYER
Lord, help those who are struggling in their marriage, and those who have experienced divorce. Bring healing and hope to the victims of divorce, and healing conviction to those who have been the cause of divorce.
Covenant breakers – making a vow – is not to be taken lightly. Marriage is held up as an example of unity – two becoming one – the same unity to describe the relationship between Jesus and the church. We ought not take this covenant lightly – it becomes adultery when we break it – one of the 10 Commandments. It hurt God when we broke the covenant the first time in the garden – when we ate of what we were commanded not to. It hurts in our relationships with each other as well – especially in marriage. Help me to be faithful, Lord!
Lord thank you for fulfilling the law. Thank you for showing us how to answer when the question itself it meant to trap us. Give me courage to give advice as according to your wisdom, not the world’s.
A cord of three is not easily broken. Marriage needs the Lord. Man and woman were created for one another. However , we are not created for one another but for the Lord God. I am not my own but belong to Him. I need to seek His will always for my life. Living for Jesus together.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.