Struggling with Marriage and Divorce

KEY VERSE: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” —Mark 10:9

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:1-12

THE PHARISEES HAD again confronted our Lord Jesus by raising a question concerning marriage and divorce. They “came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.” (Mark 10:2) They sought to trap him, and were seeking to take an occasion against him, thus entangling him in dispute and controversy.

Jesus, understanding the motive of their hearts, responded quickly with a question which he proposed to them. “What did Moses command you?” (vs. 3) His reply testified to his understanding and respect for the Law of Moses, and that they too held him in high esteem. They acknowledged Moses (Deut. 24:14) who stated that a man was permitted to write his wife a bill of divorcement for reasons of uncleanness, and that when he had put her out of his house she was free to marry again. The Law, as expressed by Moses, however, would not tolerate a relaxation of the strict bonds of the marriage vows.

Our Lord’s words in reply demonstrate his ability to read their hearts: “Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.” (vs. 5) He was addressing their own low moral and lax state which interfered with their ability to abide by the Law of Moses, or to question it. Next he proceeded to draw their attention to the true meaning of marriage and its original institution by God in the Garden of Eden, together with its Divine purpose.

Man and woman are no longer separated after marriage takes place. Jesus explained, “They twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”—vss. 8,9

The Law stated that a man must leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, which points to the closeness of the relationship as well as its perpetuity. God has joined them together, and the bond which he has tied is not to be lightly set aside. While it is important to respect the sanctity of marriage as Divinely instituted, it, nevertheless, is a symbol of the love that is expressed between Christ and his church. During the present Gospel Age, this bride class is being selected and called from the world, to be brought together in due time in the spiritual realm where the grander marriage of our Lord and his bride will take place.

The Apostle Paul addresses this relationship, saying, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” (Eph. 5:22-24) Paul continues to emphasize the responsibilities, care and love that the husband must always have in mind for his wife’s best interests.—vss. 25-29

The example of the perfect marriage is that of Christ and his church. As Paul says: “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”—vs. 32

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