September 9, 2013

“Divorce/Celibacy”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 19:3-12
Mark 10:2-12

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The Pharisees again sought to test Jesus.
This time they chose the subject of divorce.
It was a divisive subject.

Still is.

They worded the question carefully.
“Is it lawful to divorce a wife for any cause?”
For any cause.

Jesus modeled for us the response to such inquiries.

He immediately quoted the Word of God.

Jesus quotes from Genesis.
From this we can glean some serious truths.

• Jesus believed that Genesis is the Word of God. He quoted Genesis 1.
• Jesus believed in a literal Adam/Eve/Eden.
• The covenant union of marriage creates a “one flesh”.
• God joins through covenant
• Man is not to set asunder this covenant.

You can hear the accusing, whining in the next question of the Religionists.
“Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?”

Again, a carefully worded question.

Jesus would not be tripped by the Religionists.

Moses=Law permitted...not commanded… divorce due to the hardness of their hearts.

Marriage is not designed this way...from the beginning.

Immorality is the only reason allowing for divorce.
But, even immorality does not require divorce.
Grace and forgiveness should be sought.

The disciples...often they can be somewhat humorous… stated that if marriage is this way it is better to not marry.

Wonder what they meant by that?

Jesus acknowledged that not everyone can accept this truth.
It is given to some to not marry.

Jesus clarifies.
There are eunuchs from birth.
There are eunuchs made by others.
There are eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven...a decision to abstain.

The one who is able to accept, should accept.