Jesus Teaching on Divorce – Mark 10:1-12

Preached by: David Sawyer on the 10th August 2010
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Main verse: Mk 10:1-12 Other verses: Mal 2:14, Eph 5:31-32, Mat 5:17-32, John 4:1-43, Rom 8:28, Col 3:12-15

Topics: divorce, grace, marriage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Divorce is difficult subject for many to look at because of ongoing pain, regret and sorrow. However a proper understanding of God’s view of both marriage and divorce is vital in strengthening our own marriages; and standing by friends and family who may be struggling in theirs.

The Pharisees did not approach the topic of divorce humbly, but were trying to trip Jesus up.

A. What Man thinks of Marriage and Divorce

The Pharisees

The Old Testament allows divorce for “some uncleanliness” in the wife – although there was much debate over the meaning.
As divorce is not prohibited within the law of God completely, and the Law of God expresses God’s will – divorce can be within the commands of God
The right to divorce leads on to the right to remarry.

Society today

Marriage is seen as a contract – with extra stipulations such as pre-nuptials added.
Marriage is inherently flawed, as 40% of marriages now end in divorce.

B. What God thinks of Marriage and Divorce

Divorce is not commanded.
The command was Gen. 1:27; Gen 2:21–25.
Marriage is not flawed.
Jesus shows that marriage was instituted by God before sin entered the world
Marriage creates one flesh in a covenant relationship.
This is stronger than a contract, and is covenant made by God.
Marriage displays our relationship as a church with Jesus (Eph 5:31-32)

Jesus’ teaching seem strict – and impossible. However, we must remember Jesus always points to perfection. The sermon on the mount shows this with Jesus’ treatment of anger, lust and then divorce.

It is the hardness of hearts that cause divorce. We are flawed, not marriage.

C. How do we bridge the gap?

It is only by grace we can have loving marriages and live with divorce. Jesus sets such a standard that any set of rules or allowances will not work.

Jesus meets us where we are.
When Jesus met the Samaritan woman who had had 5 husbands he did not ignore the fact but used it to show her He was the Messiah.
God uses all things for good (for those that love him)
Grace helps us with our hard hearts
We need God’s grace to have any hope of combating our hard hearts which lead both to divorce and marriages that fall short of God’s image.

Downloads
Main Verse
Sermon Series
Related Posts
Share

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mark 10:1-12

Teaching About Divorce

10:1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, [1] 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (ESV)

Footnotes

[1] 10:7 Some manuscripts omit and hold fast to his wife

Current Sermon Series

New here?

On the blog

Jesus Teaching on Divorce – Mark 10:1-12

A. What Man thinks of Marriage and Divorce