The Rebuild: Matthew 5-7ნიმუში

I once saw a marriage fall apart.

Two work colleagues became involved in an illicit affair. Soon, news of the affair spread throughout the workplace. Eventually, their spouses and families found out. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The pain, sadness, and feelings of betrayal. Divorce proceedings followed.

Marriage was always intended to protect the husband and wife in a loving, lifelong commitment. This is why divorce is such a sad reality.

Jewish law in Jesus’ times allowed a man to divorce his wife by giving her a certificate of divorce. Only the husband could initiate proceedings, and he could do so on frivolous grounds such as the wife accidentally burning the toast or simply by losing interest in his wife.

Jesus corrects this erosion of the Biblical view of marriage by raising the bar. He declares that, except in cases of sexual immorality, divorce is wrong and can lead to adultery.

Marriage requires hard work, commitment and forgiveness – both the giving and the receiving thereof. Jesus challenges the easy acceptance of divorce which has always been prevalent. He shows us that even our loving relationships require God’s powerful work of grace to be at the centre.

Today, ponder this: As sinners, we come to Jesus and he responds with forgiveness, grace and unconditional love. How does Jesus’ example shape your closest relationships? How does it shape your hardest relationships?