What Jesus Did : Mark 10:10-12 - Divorce and Adultery
by Phil Ware
Divorce and Adultery - Mark 10:10-12
Later, the followers and Jesus were in the house. The followers asked Jesus again about the question of divorce. Jesus answered, "Any person that divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of sin against his wife. He is guilty of the sin of adultery. And the woman that divorces her husband and marries another man is also guilty of adultery." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
In a world which takes divorce lightly despite the carnage left in the lives of children, God reminds his people that he takes seriously the sin of divorce when it does not have a basis in your will. He views it as adultery—betrayal of the marriage covenant that was made with him. He hates it and doesn't want it to happen among his people. Why? Is it because he wants to limit or punish or harm them? No! Is it because of the damage done to children and their faith? Can this be overcome? Yes. As far as it is possible with us, divorce must be prevented and Christian men and women must learn to make homes full of love, joy, and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today's Prayer
O Father, forgive us and help us. So many people in our time feel the pain of abandonment and loss because a spouse has left them. Others have grown up wondering what they did wrong because a parent abandoned them and their family. Heal our wounds. Heal our land. Pour out your Spirit and restore our love for each other in our homes. Help us, O Lord, find the way back to your grace and power so that we can be a people of solid marriages, loving families, and compassionate ministry. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Jesus left that place. He went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again, many people came to him. And Jesus taught the people like he always did. Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make Jesus say something wrong. They asked Jesus, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?" Jesus answered, "What did Moses command you to do?" The Pharisees said, "Moses allowed a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce. " Jesus said, "Moses wrote that command for you because you refused to accept God's teaching. But when God made the world, 'he made people male and female.' 'That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.' So the people are not two, but one. God has joined those two people together. So no person should separate them." Later, the followers and Jesus were in the house. The followers asked Jesus again about the question of divorce. Jesus answered, "Any person that divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of sin against his wife. He is guilty of the sin of adultery. And the woman that divorces her husband and marries another man is also guilty of adultery."-- Mark 10:1-12 (ERV)
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