Thinking About Divorce - Mark 10:1-12

The Pharisees sought to trap Jesus in His words by asking Him about divorce, which was and still is a very controversial subject. Jesus took the Pharisees beyond the concessions for divorce in the Old Testament Law to look at God's purpose and intention for marriage in the beginning. Based upon Genesis 2:24, Jesus described God's intent for marriage as a man and woman becoming one flesh.

Based upon this"one flesh" nature of marriage, Jesus argues that divorce is not God's will. "What therefore God has joined together, let not man not separate" (vs.9). (Matthew 19:7-9 does permit divorce for sexual immorality.) Secondly, Jesus argues that remarriage after divorce is adultery.

Jesus teaches us that marriage is very sacred. It has been God's design "from the beginning of creation" (vs.6). The "one flesh" nature of it constitutes an intimacy greater than any other human relationship and dramatizes the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church (Ephesians 5). To disregard the sacred nature of marriage is very offensive to God, who says in Malachi 2:16, "I hate divorce!"

*Questions for Reflection:

1. How can Psalm 32:5 bring comfort to someone who has had an unbiblical divorce?

2. How should a person who has wrongly divorced respond to what Jesus says in this passage?

3. Why would Jesus say that remarriage after divorce is adultery?

4. Based upon Jesus' words how would you counsel someone who is contemplating an unbiblical divorce?