Matthew 5:31-32 What Jesus Said About
Divorce
Introduction: Jesus had not come to destroy the Law, but to
fulfill it. His teachings were more strict than the Law.
At least they were more strict than the letter
of the Law. If one gets angry or hates,
he is guilty of murder. If one lusts, he
is guilty of adultery. One might expect
that if one thinks about divorce, he is guilty already in his heart.
I. The background.
A.
In the beginning, God made no provision for divorce.
1. The husband and wife were to be joined
together as one. Genesis 2:24
2. God did not plan for them to be
un-joined…divorced.
B.
But neither did God plan for married couples to commit adultery. (Nor gay nor lesbian
activity).
C.
By the time of the Law, there was such activity; hence God permitted
divorce. Deuteronomy 24:1
1. He even permitted re-marriage. Deuteronomy 24:2
2. Even for a second time around He permitted
divorce and re-marriage. Deuteronomy
24:3-5
(Except not to the former mate).
II. The
grounds for divorce under the Law.
A.
The terminology in Deuteronomy 24:1 is “some uncleanness”.
(A more literal
translation is “a matter of nakedness”).
B.
There is a problem of interpretation.
1. Many argue that this is adultery and cite the
original language “a matter of nakedness.”
2. Many argue that it includes all kinds of
uncleanness and cite the death penalty for adultery,
Leviticus
20:10.
3. The most sure thing
that can be said about it is that the Jews soon abused this loophole and
granted divorce for the most trivial reasons.
III. Grounds
for divorce under Jesus.
A.
Jesus stopped up the loopholes:
He narrowed the grounds to “fornication,” verses 31-32.
B.
A better translation would be “adultery”.
C.
In latter writings Jesus does not hold one accountable for the breakup
when the companion leaves
and
there is no way to stop it. I
Corinthians 7:12-15
IV. Re-marriage,
a debatable subject even yet.
A.
Jesus did not freely permit all divorcees to re-marry as did the Law,
Deuteronomy 24:2;
Matthew 5:32
B.
Some argue that Jesus forbid all re-marriage.
C.
Some argue that he forbid re-marriage only to the adulterous mate.
V. Some things for certain.
A.
Those who are married should do all that is possible to prevent
divorce.
(#1 item is “Do not be
guilty of adultery.”)
B.
Those who have divorced have had a painful
experience.
1. In some ways this is more painful than
illness or death.
2. Whether God approved your divorce or not, God
stands ready to help you in your trials if
only you will turn to Him in your troubles. (God is a compassionate and merciful God).
3. God expects us Christians to be just as
compassionate and merciful.
(This is no
time to kick a man while he is down).
C.
Those who have re-married should seek the help of God in your present
marriage.
(It is too late to cry
over spilt milk, but it is not too late to be careful with the milk this time).
Conclusion:
To all married (or re-married);
1. Love God and teach your family to love God.
2. Love your companion. (Do not try to change your mate. Change your self).
3. Pray to God for help. (You need it, whether you realize it or not).
4. Forgive…..and forgive…..and forgive.
5. If necessary, seek the counsel of one who
will advise in the light of God’s word.
To the unsaved: As important as it is to save your marriage
from divorce, it is even more important
that
your soul be saved from the fires of hell.
Preached
at