mark 10:4-9 :: divorce

so Jesus had started His side of the discussion by redirecting them with another question,  and bringing them through to His point from a common starting thought. Then from there He explains the reason behind that point, its context and origin.

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law.” 

He turns the discussion away from the topic they presented, and points it back at them and their upbringing, and a faulty moral code they developed. Yes, divorce is an issue worth discussing, but before we get into the depths of why divorce occurs, and what the aftermath can be, let’s discuss why this even existed as an option in the first place.

The issue on it’s own was weighty enough, but they weren’t ready for that yet. what they needed to come to grips with was the fac that their hearts were not healthy. maybe, later, after addressing the issue of their hearts, and comingto grips with what they need to do to amend any issues that come along with that, they can then address the ugly issue of divorce, and what God’s desire is for our relationships with one another.

Jesus points them to the reality of the covenant marriage relationship, “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female,’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ and Jesus adds, “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one seperate.”

Jesus redirectes His opponents by starting from the common ground of the law of moses, remonding them why that particular ordinance was handed down by focusing them on the health and status of their own hearts and then pointing them towards the truth of God’s intent for His people.

Jesus’ discussion with the pharisees here is very straightforward. This ordinance was writen in as part of the Law because you are flawed. But just because you are flawed, doesn’t mean that you have taht as an excuse for continuing unacceptable behavior. Keep in mind the life God had planned for you all in your relationships with one another, and now act from this point on with that as your guide point.

God’s direction to His people through the law wasn’t set to keep them functioning at the minimum point of devotion and Godly living. living the Law wasn’t the best a person could do…it’s not just a matter of just getting by with not stealing, but doing the opposite and being generous to everyone. it wasn’t just a matter of trying really hard not to lie, but making sure that truth was your first language. it isn’t enough to not covet your neighbor’s possessions, but to give God the glory for blessing your friend so richly.

just getting by isn’t our highest aspiration, but instead, living out the Kingdom to the fullest each day.