Week 18, Day 1: Marriage and Divorce

Today’s Reading:  Matthew 21:1-22:46

Some thoughts from Friday’s Reading…

If you are a loyal reader, you will know that I did not post on Monday the way that I was supposed to, so I will be posting two entries today to catch up.  Somehow, after 17 weeks of loyal posting, I let it completely slip my mind yesterday.  I guess I was in “day off” mode, and never got on track!  I am setting the time stamp so that it will appear that this was posted on Monday, but those who keep up know I messed up!

Now on to some thoughts from the reading…

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19 is perhaps one of the most difficult in the New Testament to put into application, at least for some people.  Unfortunately, because it is difficult for many to put into practice, there are many preachers and teachers who are changing the teaching to make it softer and easier for people to accept.  That is not going to do any good, for if we convince people in adultery that they are fine, they will not change, and Paul is clear that there is no place in heaven for adulterers (1 Corinthians 6:9).

We are not able to do an in-depth study of this passage in this format, but the teaching of Jesus is not as difficult as many are trying to make it out to be. Jesus makes it clear that He intended for people to get married and stay married.  He gives one exception for one who has a mate that cheats on them, allowing them to divorce for that cause, and then have a right to another mate.  However, He is also clear that once a person marries, if they are put away, or if they put away their mate for a cause other than sexual immorality, they have no right to ever marry again.  We can play semantical games if we want, but when we do we spiritually endanger those that we teach, and ourselves!  When we spend so much time trying to find loopholes in Jesus’ teaching just to allow a person the right to remarry following a divorce, we are playing the same game as those who try to find a loophole in Jesus’ teaching on baptism!

This doctrine is so important because of the prevalence of divorce and remarriage in the world today.  Statistically, you have a higher chance of getting a divorce than you do to stay married.  This makes it hard for many to accept the gospel message.  But, we still have to teach it just as Jesus taught it.  We may “convert” more people by softening this message, but we are certainly not converting them to Christ!  We certainly are not helping them secure an eternal reward if we justify their sin and allow them to continue in it!

I have great respect for those who are willing to make the sacrifices that Jesus demands in this passage.  There are many who have decided that they will be “eunuchs for the kingdom of Heaven’s sake” just as Jesus teaches.  That is not an easy decision to make, and it is not an easy commitment to keep.  However, the reward is fantastic!  Whatever sacrifice is demanded now is worth it when we consider the eternal home we will gain by our obedience to Christ!

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