Committed in Marriage and to Christ

Mark 10:1-16

Marriage and Divorce

1 Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.

2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.

3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"

4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her."

5 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Jesus Blesses Little Children

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus taught about the sanctity and permanence of the marriage covenant and the value of children from that union as an example to us for the attitude fitting the kingdom of God.  Marriage was not to be easily cast off with a piece of paper as Moses commanded Israel (Deuteronomy 24:1) because that directive was to cover their hardened heart against the intent of the creation (Genesis 1:27, 5:2) of Adam and Eve and subsequent law protecting that covenant.  The intent of God for marriage was always a permanent union not to be broken by adultery and to be reconciled whenever marred by sin.  Jesus answered the question from the Pharisees about divorce with the phrase in many marriage vows, ‘what God has joined together, let not man separate.’  The two made one flesh means more than physical union as it means a union of body and soul just as we are united into Christ by that covenant in His blood.  Our bodies are to be kept pure for Him and for our spouse accordingly.  This is the way of God’s design bearing commitment and devotion of body and soul in union with Christ and in marriage between one man to one wife and no other combination.  Anything else is in direct defiance of God’s creation and will for us, and we should not be in such a hurry to destroy what God has put together for His glory and our good.  Jesus then continued this topic with just His disciples lest He be misquoted or misunderstood by the Pharisees.  He told them that if one divorces his spouse with the understanding that does not include adultery (Matthew 5:32, 19:9), then he or she commits adultery against the first spouse of which the covenant promises still hold.  This conversation then carried on to deal with children that result from marriage (1 Corinthians 7:14) even with an unbeliever.  Children have a sense of right and faith that does not explain away the truth from God when they hear it.  That faith is the example for us all to take God at His word to enter freely into the kingdom of God in Christ.  These are blessed who believe and receive Him and do not rationalize the truth away as we often do when we think we are grown up and know better; Father knows best, and we should listen and heed what we are told in the scriptures uttered by Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17) for our salvation and sanctification in union with Christ.  We then are to be committed in marriage and to Christ.