Divorce - Matthew 5:31-32
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Reflection: Right on the heals of Jesus' teaching on adultery is his teaching on divorce. Why? Because the only reason given by Moses to issue a certificate of divorce was adultery. But as time went on, history tells us that the men began to divorce women for all kinds of reasons, so that they could commit adultery. Jesus sees again that the Law had become distorted to serve sinful human nature, rather than preserve the institution of marriage that God demonstrated in Creation with Adam and Eve. See Matthew 19 for more teaching on this and Jesus' reference to the above mentioned fact. This principle argument used there is that what God has joined together let man not separate.
In fact, in Matthew 19, Jesus says that anyone who divorces his wife on grounds other than adultery, causes them to commit adultery with the next woman they marry. So we can see how this sin keeps compounding in its negative consequences. The most important idea is that in marriage God is the one who joins the two people together in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a mystery that can only be explained by God, but the basis for a Christian marriage that is often not given enough credence or teaching. We see that the divorce rate is about the same in the Church as in the world, which points to the deep need for the Church to teach and equip young couples for healthy marriages.
There are many resources coming to the surface (ie Marriage Encounter, Weekend to Remember, the Marriage Course, Prepare/Enrich) to name a few, and it would be good of the church to deploy its time and energy to helping couples honor the promises they make before God and the faith community on their wedding day. We know God honors marriage with His blessing and covenant love, now we need to do our part to provide the very basis and foundation for every family, a healthy marriage. In this setting kids can see the covenantal love of their parents and learn to display this same love when they get married.
Finally, for those who have been divorced for whatever reason there is forgiveness and healing through God's unconditional love for us. His covenant to love and protect us will never be broken through Jesus Christ.
Jesus protect our marriages. Teach us to love and forgive as you taught us. What God has joined together let us not separate! Amen.
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Reflection: Right on the heals of Jesus' teaching on adultery is his teaching on divorce. Why? Because the only reason given by Moses to issue a certificate of divorce was adultery. But as time went on, history tells us that the men began to divorce women for all kinds of reasons, so that they could commit adultery. Jesus sees again that the Law had become distorted to serve sinful human nature, rather than preserve the institution of marriage that God demonstrated in Creation with Adam and Eve. See Matthew 19 for more teaching on this and Jesus' reference to the above mentioned fact. This principle argument used there is that what God has joined together let man not separate.
In fact, in Matthew 19, Jesus says that anyone who divorces his wife on grounds other than adultery, causes them to commit adultery with the next woman they marry. So we can see how this sin keeps compounding in its negative consequences. The most important idea is that in marriage God is the one who joins the two people together in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a mystery that can only be explained by God, but the basis for a Christian marriage that is often not given enough credence or teaching. We see that the divorce rate is about the same in the Church as in the world, which points to the deep need for the Church to teach and equip young couples for healthy marriages.
There are many resources coming to the surface (ie Marriage Encounter, Weekend to Remember, the Marriage Course, Prepare/Enrich) to name a few, and it would be good of the church to deploy its time and energy to helping couples honor the promises they make before God and the faith community on their wedding day. We know God honors marriage with His blessing and covenant love, now we need to do our part to provide the very basis and foundation for every family, a healthy marriage. In this setting kids can see the covenantal love of their parents and learn to display this same love when they get married.
Finally, for those who have been divorced for whatever reason there is forgiveness and healing through God's unconditional love for us. His covenant to love and protect us will never be broken through Jesus Christ.
Jesus protect our marriages. Teach us to love and forgive as you taught us. What God has joined together let us not separate! Amen.
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