Mark 10:1-12
In this week’s reading of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 10:1-12 discusses Jesus' teachings on divorce. Here are the key points:
Setting and Context: Jesus travels to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan, and crowds gather around Him as He teaches.
Pharisees' Question: The Pharisees approach Jesus to test Him, asking if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife.
Jesus' Response: Jesus asks them what Moses commanded. They reply that Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.
Jesus' Teaching on Marriage: Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people's hearts, but from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. He quotes Genesis, stating that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
Indissolubility of Marriage: Jesus emphasizes that what God has joined together, no one should separate.
Further Explanation to Disciples: Later, in a private setting, the disciples ask Jesus further about this issue. Jesus clarifies that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.
These points highlight Jesus' strict view on the sanctity and permanence of marriage, underscoring the seriousness of the marital bond as intended by God from creation. This passage is contemporarily significant because of our recent struggle in the United Methodist Church concerning the sanctity of marriage. Some believe that a same-sex marriage violates the sanctity of marriage, yet don’t have the same view concerning couples who remarry after divorce. While Jesus never mentions same-sex marriage, he is clear here on his view of a marriage following a divorce.
Why would Jesus liken remarrying after a divorce akin to adultery? Regarding whether Jesus considers divorce itself a sin:
Permissibility vs. Ideal: While Jesus acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce because of human hard-heartedness, He doesn't explicitly label divorce itself as a sin. Instead, He highlights that it falls short of God's ideal for marriage.
Contextual Considerations: In the broader biblical context, divorce is not universally condemned as a sin. There are instances, such as in cases of marital unfaithfulness, where divorce is permitted (e.g., Matthew 19:9). However, the emphasis is on the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of breaking the marital bond.
Call to Higher Standards: Jesus' teachings challenge His followers to pursue the highest standards of marital fidelity and commitment, reflecting God's original design for marriage.
In summary, Jesus' likening of remarriage after divorce to adultery serves to emphasize the sanctity and permanence of marriage, calling His followers to uphold the integrity of the marital covenant. While divorce may be permitted in certain circumstances, it is not presented as aligning with God's ideal for marriage. What do we do then with our understanding of same-sex marriage with consideration to: permissibility vs ideal; contextual consideration; and call to higher standards? Before we condemn what someone else believes concerning the sanctity of marriage, let us ask ourselves if we are holding ourselves to the same high standards.
(As a side note: This blogpost was not intended to offend anyone who has been divorced or going through a divorce. There are many good reasons for a divorce and even if there is not, grace and compassion for those who have experienced divorce should be offered by the church as I know Jesus would have. This blogpost was for the purpose of exploring a segment of the Gospel of Mark and putting it into a contemporary context.)
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
If you are reading the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Chuck this year, below is a short and simple guide to doing so for this week:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your words expose my innermost thoughts and desires. I am an open book before you when I read your book. May your truths work as I read of your holiness, truth, and love. May the power of your word be known in my life so that I might genuinely have the abundant life you came to give. Amen.
Read: Mark 10:1-12
Questions to guide your thinking:
Why did the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce? What might their motives have been?
What does Jesus' reference to Genesis (creation narrative) suggest about the nature and purpose of marriage? What is God's original intention for marriage according to Jesus in this passage?
How does Jesus' teaching on marriage differ from the prevailing views of His time?
What does Jesus mean by the "hardness of heart" that led Moses to permit divorce?How might this concept of "hardness of heart" apply to contemporary relationships and issues?
How can understanding God's design for marriage influence our approach to relationships and marital commitment?
Why does Jesus equate remarriage after divorce with adultery?
How do these teachings challenge my own views and practices regarding marriage and divorce?
In what ways can I strive to honor the sanctity of marriage in my own life or support others in doing so?
What moral and ethical implications arise from Jesus' strict stance on divorce and remarriage?
How can the church support individuals and couples in maintaining healthy, committed marriages?
How can we balance Jesus' high standards for marriage with the need for grace and compassion for those who have experienced divorce?
What steps can be taken to minister to and support those who are divorced or remarried in a way that honors Jesus' teachings?
How do other biblical passages on marriage and divorce (e.g., Matthew 19:3-9, 1 Corinthians 7) complement or contrast with this passage?
What can we learn from the broader biblical narrative about God's view on marriage, divorce, and remarriage?
