Teachings on Divorce
This is certainly a hot button topic in our culture. It was a hot-button topic back then,
too. Divorce – marriage, really – has been
a hot-button topic for as long as there have been men and women.
I don’t want to dwell on this passage, because I think everyone
knows what Jesus says. Here it is. When God created man and woman, he created
marriage to be a lasting covenant.
Period. It is something that is
supposed to reflect His love for us.
However, because we are human beings and everything we touch (outside of
God) is corrupted by our sinfulness, marriages become corrupted. Because of our hardness of heart – sinfulness
– divorces are necessary. They aren’t
God’s will at all. They are necessary. Forgiveness isn’t necessary without the brokenness
that comes from sin. In a perfect world,
there would be no forgiveness because nobody sins. In a perfect world there would be no divorce
because nobody would sin. But last I
checked, we don’t live in that perfect world.
Thus, when a spouse sins against the marriage covenant made before
God the other spouse can evoke a divorce.
It isn’t the way God designed it, but it is permissible under those
reasons.
What I truly love is the disciples’ response. They honestly tell Jesus that if this was
actually the case then it is better for people to not get married. After all, if you never get married and never
have sex, you don’t ever have to worry about adultery or fornication. Jesus tells the disciples that not everyone
would agree. Not everyone can receive
that teaching. Those who can stay single
and are called to do so should. To those
who cannot, God has given us the gift of marriage. We should be careful to not defile God’s
gifts of celibacy or marriage.
Let the Children Come
Last chapter we talked about children and the Kingdom of God. In this chapter we revisit this
teaching. Jesus wants to reinforce this
teaching because apparently the disciples didn’t hear Him the first time. Instead of displaying humbleness, the
disciples rebuked the children for wanting to come to Jesus. Jesus tells the disciples to let them
come. The Kingdom of God is not about
power and status and the ability to make decisions. We are not God’s bouncers. The Kingdom of God is about submission and doing
whatever the Lord asks so that people may come into relationship with Him.
Rich Young Ruler
We close this chapter with a protracted story and teaching of
Jesus. A rich young man comes before
Jesus and asks what he must do to come into the kingdom. Jesus tells the man to obey the
commandments. The young man says that he’s
done that. So Jesus tells him to give
away all of his possessions to the poor.
The man goes away sad because he had a lot of stuff.
Here’s a quick lesson. When
Jesus takes time to teach you a lesson, don’t say, “Oh, I know that.” Because chances are if Jesus is teaching you
a lesson you don’t actually know it.
Remember? How important is being
humble before God?
So this rich young man says that he’s kept all the
commandments. Not only is that not a
humble statement, it’s flat out wrong! Jesus
makes his point very clear. In keeping
his wealth, the man is displaying that he truly doesn’t love God first. First commandment broken. He’s also made an idol out of his
wealth. Second commandment broken. He’s certainly not loving his neighbor. Great Commandment broken. I could go on, but I hope you see my point.
Here we have a great negative example of discipleship. A man comes asking to be a disciple. Jesus could have been all over the invitation
and taken the man under His wing. But
instead of jumping at the opportunity, Jesus pauses and allows the man to
expose his true nature. Jesus allows the
man to expose that he’s all talk but no action.
He’s all promise but no follow-through.
So Jesus actually turns the man away.
For the record, notice that Jesus doesn’t pursue him when he walks away.
The disciples then exclaim how difficult it must be to enter into
the Kingdom of God. They come from a
mindset that the rich can do anything they want! Doesn’t that sound familiar?
Jesus tells them once more that the Kingdom of God is not about
wealth. The Kingdom of God is not about
mankind earning or buying our way into it.
The Kingdom of God is about submission.
After all, for us the Kingdom of God is impossible. But for God all things are possible. We must submit to God in order for it to be
possible for us to enter into the Kingdom of God.
The first shall be last.
The last shall be first. The
humble shall be exalted and lifted up.
I think it’s time for simple truth. You want to be great in God’s eyes? Drop your agenda. Drop it right now. Bow in humbleness to God and make your life
about Him. Make your life about what He
wants for you, not what you want for yourself.
Make your life about His desires.
Everyone who leaves their life for the sake of Christ and for the sake
of the Gospel will inherit eternal life.
It’s what Jesus says right here in this chapter.
<><
No comments:
Post a Comment