Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme that we read in Mark 10.8-9. Indeed, the Pharisees try to put Jesus at odds with Moses on the issue of divorce. But He closes their mouths as they go up before the Law, reminding them of the order of things as God created it in the beginning. For the world has defiled and spoiled everything that God had established in his beautiful creation and in particular the institution of marriage.
Indeed, the hardness of heart and selfishness which lead men to despise and denature everything related to marriage, are also often shown in their lack of consideration for little children. And the disciples do not escape this spirit. For the Lord begins by being indignant at the attitude of the disciples and then takes these little ones tenderly in his arms where they are in perfect safety. Finally, he expressly blesses them (Mat 19.13-15).
But the love of the Lord for man, his creature in question here, is a point of all importance: he wants to meet him, but he remains insensitive to it and goes away, perhaps forever, preferring his vain riches to the present and eternal company of the One who loved him. Now we might have thought it was useless to teach these people, since they wanted nothing from them; but the Lord was sowing a seed which the Holy Spirit would cause to germinate in hearts. This seed would bear fruit after his death, and that the people would understand all the teachings of the Lord; which took place especially for the disciples.
But among those who listened to the Lord, there were reasoners, religious people, filled with their own righteousness, those men who often listen to those who teach the truth, rather to find them faulty than to learn. Here the Pharisees attached to the law of Moses, sought to surprise the Lord Jesus in opposition to this law. And they ask him if it is permissible for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus acknowledges that Moses allowed the divorce, but he adds that it was because of the hardness of their hearts. Indeed, sin had spoiled these relationships since God had created them, and the selfishness of man did not want to bear the consequences of the Fall when they were felt in such intimate relationships, for sin hardened the heart.
That is why Moses allowed this extreme measure. However, despite all the disorder introduced into what God had established, it was necessary to go back to the origin to have the thought of God, in order to conform to it, an important principle to remember in order to know the truth about any question; we should return to “what was from the beginning”(1 Jn 1.1; 1 Jn 2.24; Jr 6.16).
Ultimately, this is what the Lord Jesus teaches here: “But at the beginning of creation God made man and woman; therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but they are one flesh. Let not man therefore separate what God has joined together. ” This statement from the Lord contains everything there is to know about our subject. Indeed, the believer should abide by it. Because when a child of God wishes to marry, he should have to do very seriously with God. He should let himself be directed by him in order to be sure that this act, so important for the whole of life, is carried out “in the Lord”, for the bond of marriage once established can only be dissolved by death (1 Co 7.39).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- Docility shown by the disciples when they seek to learn:
Mt 13.36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Mk 4.10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables; Mk 13.4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Luk 3.12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” Jn 6.28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
- Adultery
Lev 20.10 ‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death; Rm 7.3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man; 1 Co 6.9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men; 2 P 2.14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!
From all of the above, we note that at the beginning of creation God made male and female; that a man will leave his father and his mother, and be attached to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but they are one flesh. Let man not separate what God has joined. It is therefore important that the believer conforms to it. Because when a child of God wishes to marry, he should know that he has to do very seriously with the Eternal God and let himself be directed by him in order to be sure that this act, so important for the whole of life, is fulfilled “in the Lord”, for the bond of marriage once made can only be dissolved by death. Our prayers support all of you in your efforts to follow the principle that marriage is in the Lord for all life.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week the meaning of little children in the eyes of the Lord Jesus: “Suffer little children to come to me, and do not prevent them…”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.