Study in Mark’s Gospel

1. Study in Mark’s Gospel Presentation 30

2. Divorce Chap 10v1-12 Presentation 30

3. Introduction One of the greatest tragedies we are faced with today is that of broken marriage. Nothing more heart-breaking than to view what should have been an enriching, loving relationship degenerate into one of bitterness, discord and despair. In that situation is divorce an option? This is a controversial and complex subject for it touches people at their deepest emotional level. It is also a subject which we require to handle with great sensitivity in order that we do not add unnecessarily to the suffering and distress of those involved. As we turn for guidance to the passage before us, we will examine the moral climate of Jesus’ day, then Jesus' teaching on the subject of marriage and finally comment on the practical implications of that teaching. Presentation 30

4. The Moral Climate Of Jesus' Day The Pharisees came to test or trap Jesus. In order to appreciate the nature of this test we must understand the theological debate which was current in Jesus' day. There were two schools of rabbinical interpretation concerning the divorce text in Deut. 24v1-4. First, Rabbi Shammi's school, taught that divorce was only possible where some grave sexual offence could be proved. Secondly, Rabbi Hilliel's school which was much more lax, interpreted the word 'indecent'in Deuteronomy in the widest possible manner. So that if a wife burned her husband's, dinner, spoke unkindly of his parents or lost her good looks, such indecency justified her husband divorcing her! Presentation 30

5. The Moral Climate Of Jesus' Day It is not hard to imagine the tremendous instability and insecurity which this introduced to marital relationships, nor are we surprised that this second view was more popular with the men of Jesus' day. Fallen human nature will always favour teaching that adopts the low moral ground thus gratifying human selfishness. The Pharisees’ question was framed to make Jesus take sides. Was he a moral rigorist? Then King Herod, who was living with his sister-in-law, would be displeased with the news. However, if Jesus sided with the morally lax view then they would have succeeded in undermining his moral authority. They were quite sure that Jesus had been trapped in a catch 22 situation. Presentation 30

6. The Moral Climate Of Jesus' Day But Jesus seized this opportunity to provide timely instruction on marriage and divorce. Teaching that is timely also in our own day. Recent figures indicate that for every hundred marriages which take place annually in the U.K. there are approximately 50 divorces. Sociologists tell us that the reasons for the marked increase in divorce are the changing patterns of employment - with two parents working, the greater emancipation of women, pressures of unemployment and financial anxiety, government incentives for one parent families and the provision in civil law which makes divorce easier to obtain. Presentation 30

7. The Moral Climate Of Jesus' Day But the greatest single factor contributing to divorce is the erosion of the sanctity and permanence of marriage, while at the same time sexual promiscuity has become morally acceptable. We now have divorce parties and divorce coaches all designed to celebrate and legitimise failed relationships. Modern writers describe Christian marriage as archaic, oppressive, and decaying. They say it should be replaced with a relationship that is free, dynamic, honest, spontaneous and creative. Some in the church have begun to capitulate to this secular pressure and allow the world to shape their morality. Because a majority view exist that does not make it right! Presentation 30

8. Jesus' Teaching On Marriage Jesus reply to the Pharisees, is not a reply! He asks another question by drawing attention to Gen. 1-2. He points out that human sexuality is a divine creation and human marriage a divine ordinance. Marriage is not a mere human contract, it is a divine yoke. Human contracts are often severed to the mutual satisfaction of both parties - football players do it all the time. But marriage is not a human contract based on a fluctuating experience that says ,“I love you, I love you not”. It is based on the divine will and Word of God, 'the two will become one flesh,' Gen 2v24. Tearing apart a marriage bond is to tear apart something that God has created. Presentation 30

9. Jesus' Teaching On Marriage Jesus and the Pharisees had differing starting points. The great preoccupation of the Pharisees was the grounds of divorce, while the great preoccupation of Jesus was the institution of marriage. And it is here with marriage that Jesus wants our thinking to begin. Today many people miss this and rush into marriage more aware of divorce legislation than of the divine institution of marriage. A minister was approached to marry a young couple who had known each other for only three weeks. When he expressed concern that they hardly knew one another. The girl quickly replied, 'If it doesn't work out there is always divorce' Presentation 30

10. Jesus' Teaching On Marriage Secondly, Jesus points out that the Pharisees had raised the status of divorce and placed it on a glorious pedestal of respectability, 'God commands it' Matt. 19v7. In reply Jesus makes it clear that they had built their case on a concession made by God to human weakness, sinfulness and stubbornness. Indeed, the Mosaic legislation had the effect of restraining husbands from hasty decisions while protecting wives from exploitation. If God, in his mercy, made legal provision for human sinfulness this was at best concessive legislation and clearly could not be used to argue for God's approval of divorce. Presentation 30

11. Jesus' Teaching On Marriage Whenever these Pharisees spoke of divorce it was without a sense of shame, sinfulness or failure. Sadly this is all to often the case today. Indeed, some people proudly boast of their string of failed relationships, 'I've just had my fourth divorce!' Indeed, people now wear divorce rings that can show the number of partners they have had. There is a kind of defiant triumphalism attached to it as if it were an achievement of great worth. Rather there should be a profound sense of failure and grief that something which God intended to be beautiful and lasting has been marred and spoiled. Presentation 30

12. Jesus' Teaching On Marriage The disciples are stunned by Jesus' teaching and they press him further in v10... only to hear his disturbing reply, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” v11-12. Jesus did not change his stance in order to please his disciples. He does make an exception to his ruling in Matt. 19v9… a person can divorce their partner without fear of God’s disapproval, when their partner has been guilty of marital unfaithfulness. A further exception is found in 1 Cor. 7v15ff where blatant desertion is said to break the marriage bond and leave the deserted wife free to remarry. Presentation 30

13. Jesus' Teaching On Marriage Men and women often assume that if someone is divorced for whatever reason, to marry them must automatically bring God's approval. Now listen to what Jesus is saying, 'God has instituted marriage as an exclusive and permanent union.' From that Jesus draws this deduction. To divorce ones partner and to marry another, except on the grounds of our divorced partners marital unfaithfulness, or as we have seen from 1Cor 7 the grounds of blatant desertion, is to embark upon a divorce which God does not recognise and to enter a relationship which he views as adulterous. Presentation 30

14. Practical Application How do we apply Jesus’ teaching? The church lives with a tension created by its own prophetic responsibility to bear witness to God's revealed standards and its pastoral responsibility to show compassion to those who have failed to maintain those s tandards. We cannot close our eyes to Jesus’ teaching nor to the realities of the broken world in which we live. The church has often failed to provide sufficient instruction on what the Bible teaches about marriage and reconciliation. In the gospel God has reconciled us to himself. He has mercifully responded to the rift in our relationship, providing healing and reconciliation as a result of the death of his Son upon the cross. Presentation 30

15. Practical Application In this way God has provided both a pattern, an incentive and the enabling for the healing of our broken relationships, including broken relationships within the marriage bond. Can we ask, 'If I have been reconciled to God at such cost to himself should I not seek and be willing for reconciliation to those to whom I have become estranged no matter what the cost to me?' It is surely a denial of the gospel to want to think about divorce before we have begun to think about reconciliation. Presentation 30

16. Practical Application People often need help with reconciliation. John Stott refused to discuss divorce with couples before he has first discussed marriage and reconciliation. Such discussion often makes discussion on the subject of divorce unnecessary. People with marriage problems need much sympathy, understanding and love. Our attitude towards them in their hurt, is as important as what we say to them. It is necessary to discover the root cause of the discord in an unhappy marriage. Often prospective divorcees have never spoken to one another about the things that have begun to destroy their marriage. People cannot be challenged to change until they have begun to see how their behaviour has begun to get under the skin of their partner. Presentation 30

17. Practical Application What about those nightmare situations where a beast of a husband beats his wife and children and squanders the family income on drink? Are we coldly indifferent to such suffering? We want to share with deep compassion in the suffering of the abused family. When every avenue has been explored and genuine but unsuccessful attempts have been made to reconcile then we are faced with the choice of two evils, in this case between a divorce, which has no explicit biblical grounds, or a domestic situation which is destroying and endangering family life. The church may not have strong textual grounds for approving of such a separation but there is biblical ground for sympathy and understanding towards those who have felt pressured to choose it. Presentation 30

18. Practical Application Once a divorce has regretfully taken place then the church needs to show pastoral concern for all involved. It is easy to be judgmental. Some people may well have divorced for the wrong reasons but such a thing is not unforgivable and we dare not treat the divorcee as a moral leper. God has often blessed a second marriage. Does that mean that God has lowered his standards? No not at all! God will respond to individuals, who admit their past wrongdoing and sin, seek his forgiveness and the grace of a new beginning. We dare not attempt to be holier than God. We must welcome such people and help them in their attempt to begin anew. Presentation 30

19. Conclusion Jesus was far more interested in talking about marriage than divorce. He constantly points us back to the Maker's instructions. Many couples who are married have been reminded to follow those instructions that they might enjoy God’s blessing. As a church we need to do more to prepare young people for marriage and to burst the myth of romance found in popular magazines. People need to learn that love is not a vague feeling but an attitude of the will, a costly determination to put the other before ourselves. We need to advocate greater thought and reflection on the responsibility of a lifelong commitment to a partner before marriage takes place. Marriage is God’s good idea and he longs to bless it. Presentation 30