Matthew 19:1-12 Teaching About Divorce

The Pharisees approach Jesus to test him one more time. On this occasion, they ask about divorce - is it lawful? Jesus' answers quoting from the Creation account (Gen.2:24) that a man and a woman become one flesh when they marry and since the union is performed by God, no man has the right to separate them.

The Pharisees appeal to Moses and state that he commanded divorce. They appeal to the authority of Moses as a reliable source to give them certainty that divorce is permissible. During those days, a man could divorce his wife for any reason. If she didn't please him with her cooking or her care of the home, the man could dismiss her by giving her a certificate of divorce. Certificates of divorce could be given for any reason at all. They used Moses' permission as a command for their own selfish purposes.

Jesus' explanation for Moses granting (giving permission, not commanding) divorce certificates cuts to the core of the issue. It was due to their hardness of heart. But it was not the original design and intent for marriage. It is wrong to enter marriage with the notion that if it doesn't work, I can call it quits. It is wrong to enter marriage with the thought that if I find someone better, I can end it here. Marriage was designed for life. Its original intent is to unite two people for as long as they shall live until death do us part. 

My hardness of heart stands in the way of God's design and purpose in marriage. If my marriage is going to last the test of time, I must submit my heart in the hands of the Lord so he can soften it. My commitment to the covenant of marriage grows out of a heart that is sensitive to God and his commands. I must be committed to my God wholeheartedly so that I can be committed to my wife for the rest of my life. When my heart is filled with selfishness and pride, I cannot love my wife. But when my heart is filled with the love of God, I find it easier to love my wife today and commit to love her unconditionally tomorrow. The only acceptable reason for a divorce, according to Jesus, is sexual immorality. But even sexual immorality could be forgiven and does not have to lead to divorce.

Lord, help my marriage to be built upon the Rock. May your Holy Spirit soften my heart to accept your design and purpose in marriage. May I be faithful to my wife until the end of our days. May we remain one flesh until death or your return. Amen.

Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Christ

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is the coming of our God in the flesh to the earth - God with us. He came with a specific purpose: to save us from our sins. The Lord's birth had been prophesied by Isaiah many years (around 700 years) before it happened. A prophecy like that requires human agents to participate to make it true. One of those obedient agents I admire is Joseph. He had to overcome (with God's help) a few obstacles to be obedient. 

Marriage in those days was a long process. More likely, it was arranged by the parents. Betrothal was the arrangement to give Mary to Joseph as wife and it was as binding as a wedding without them cohabiting. Betrothal could take many months up to a year before the wedding. The second stage was the wedding itself. It was a celebration that lasted several days at the end of which the bride and groom would cohabit and have sexual union.

Joseph was a just man, unwilling to shame Mary, but he resolved to divorce her quietly. His intentions were great, but the end result is not what God had planned. Joseph's solution to the situation he perceived as unacceptable (a pregnant wife before the wedding) was hardly the right one. God himself had to intervene through an angel in Joseph's sleep to straighten out his heart and ensure proper action.

How many times have I come up with solutions to my situations that miss out on God's plan and intentions? How many times has God intervened in my life to straighten out my heart before I make a decision final? How many times have I ignored God's guidance and did my own thing anyway? How many times my personal desires ruled over my obedience to God? At what cost?

I want to be like Joseph, a man who set aside his own desires to accomplish God's will. By the way, his desire to have a respected wife who would make him look good and satisfy his manly desires on wedding night is not ungodly at all. But his desire to do the will of God was greater. 

Lord, thank you for coming into the world to save me from my sins. Continue to intervene in my life when my solutions don't measure up to your expectations. Give me the sensitivity to perceive your guidance and the desire to obey it at all times.