Daily Devotions
Jesus Challenges Divorce
Title: Jesus Challenges Divorce
Reading for August 4: Jeremiah 1-3
Weekly reading for July 29-August 4: Matthew 5-9
"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
Matthew 5:31-32
A comment heard occasionally from Christians contemplating divorce is something like this: "I know God doesn't like divorce, but I won't remarry." This is said as if the fact that the decision to remain single makes divorce okay.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us that marriage is not about us. He reminds us that a selfish decision like divorce will lead to at least two other people sinning as well (when your wife remarries both she and her husband will be guilty of adultery).
Much of the Sermon on the Mount is summed in Matthew 7:12, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." This is where we should begin in our decision making process in marriage. Marriage should call us to sacrifice our selfishness and pride and replace it with a heart of service and humility. It is a place where we can practice "the Golden Rule," where we have opportunities every day to exercise the mind of Christ.
So, instead of thinking in terms of what God will allow when it comes to divorce, let us instead clothe ourselves with the love of Christ and think of practical and creative ways in which we can bless our mates.
Father, thank you for this blessed institution where we can learn the love of Christ. Help us to show this love to our mates in practical ways today.
