This year, my wife Betty and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary. I don’t point that out to brag, but to lead us into today’s lesson on marriage and divorce. One day, some Pharisees came to test Jesus. Their knotty theological question was “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Jesus pointed them back to the Law, “What did Moses say?” The Pharisees replied, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.” So, if they already knew the answer, why ask the question?
That, however, was not the end of the discussion. “But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” When they were in the house again, the disciples questioned him about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. Also, if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:5–12, CSB)
This pops so many of our manmade balloons, it’s hard to keep track. Jesus’ response shines a light on the “less than” aspects of the Law—places where the Law is good instead of perfect because of our hardness of heart. His response hits God’s original intent and design. Mankind is male and female. His response elevates our view of marriage. This is not some contract where two parties agree. It is a full on merger of self as two individuals become one flesh. And this one “fleshness” is because God joined them together. And lastly, divorce is more than two people living apart and dividing the assets. Divorce has an ongoing spiritual cost.
A healthy marriage requires several things. There is a “one another” aspect as we seek to serve, please, and love “one another.” A healthy marriage has God at the center of each partner. God is the shock absorber, referee, conscience, and molder of the marriage. Our relationship with Christ tempers our self-centeredness as we seek to live life together. When there are troubles, whether from inside the family or from the outside, Christ is the force that pulls us together. To paraphrase, “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” (see Phil 4:13) We can weather the storms of life together in Christ.
There are times when the Word is a mirror showing us the difference between God’s best and our reality. Do not be discouraged. Marriage requires commitment. Your situation and circumstances may not yet be God’s best. Pray. Always start with prayer. Seek pastoral counseling. Be patient. Make Christ your center in all things and pray that your spouse does as well. It may not seem like it at times, but God has joined you together.
There is, of course, much more that could be said concerning marriage and divorce. If we keep this one thing in our mind, then all else falls into place. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
- Essential Worship – A Worship Map - March 4, 2026
- Proverbs – Anxiety - March 2, 2026
- Essential Worship – Sprirt and Truth - February 25, 2026
