Tuesday 19th March
Read Matthew 5:31-32
“‘It has been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (NIVUK)
Jesus extends His discussion of adultery and its seriousness (v27-30) with an example concerning divorce. In considering these words we necessarily enter sensitive ground. Far more sensitive than perhaps even the consideration of lust and adultery itself. For adultery can often be kept secret, but divorce is public, painful and very personal.
Jesus’ words and teaching in this space leave us searching for exceptions and justifications in order to care for and love those who have been through or are suffering divorce at present. The teachers of law sought to widen the grounds for divorce to almost anything, including something as benign as burning dinner(!). Like them, we also instinctively widen the legitimate grounds for divorce, often to express compassion. Jesus narrows things down alarmingly.
Consider the traditional marriage vows:
‘to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God’s holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.’
Reflecting on those vows makes us realise they are almost designed to achieve the same purpose as Jesus. They leave very little wriggle room for divorce. To be faithful to Jesus’ intention, John Stott adopted the deliberate pastoral position that he would never speak to anyone about divorce until he had first spoken at length with them about marriage and reconciliation.
