Yes, Two More Lessons
As we march on in the “teaching season” of the church we come upon this week’s text, Mark 10:2-16. It, as has been the case the past several weeks, offers us two lessons about living in response to God’s gifts. As has also been the case, these are tough lessons and with the first lesson, one we would rather skip over. The first lesson is about divorce, and the second is acting childlike. I will resist my clear temptation to deal only with the second and tackle them both (or be tackled by them, we shall see).
A Test Over Divorce
The lesson about divorce starts with a test from some Pharisees. They ask whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. They point out that Moses had allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and divorce her. Jesus responds with a retort that is actually stunning. Yes, Moses gave you that commandment, but only because you are hard hearted. Jesus then rather casually overturns Moses (thereby claiming the prerogative to do so) by stating that what God has joined no one should separate. This would seem to end divorce altogether.
Later the disciples ask for clarification. Jesus states that whoever divorces their wife and marries another commits adultery and also if she divorces her husband and marries another then she commits adultery. What is stunning here, besides tossing Moses aside is that this teaching about divorce is equal among both men and women. It is stunning that anyone is even considering that a woman could divorce a man, but there it is.
Lest we think that we should never acquiesce to someone’s divorce, we should ponder what this means. First, Jesus is clearly stating that divorce is not a good thing. I do not think anyone who has gone through one would claim otherwise. This does not, however, mean that it is not a better thing than remaining in an abusive or loveless marriage. It may be adulterous as Jesus describes it, to divorce and remarry but this just means we are imperfect, often sinful beings. There is nothing that suggests that we should think that someone who has gone through the painful, yes, perhaps even sinful process of divorce should be consigned to a life of solitude without any hope of an intimate relationship. If it is indeed sinful, so what? Is there not redemption in Christ? Is there not forgiveness offered for our sins? To suggest that a divorce and remarriage equals a break of faith is to go down the hoary road of works righteousness, and we know that this is not the answer.
Again with the Children
The second lesson in this passage goes down quite a bit easier. It sees Jesus getting indignant with the disciples because they are discouraging people from bringing children to Him. Jesus points out that the kingdom belongs to those such as these. This is another time where He is teaching us that we must give extra care and concern for those least among us.
More than that, Jesus offers us a lesson in what faith should look like. He states that unless you receive the kingdom of God as a little child, then you will not enter it. This is just a way of saying that we must simply believe, as simply and innocently as a child believes and trusts. To do so is to receive the gift that God has given all of us in His Son Jesus the Christ. It is this faith, not external works (like staying in an abusive marriage) that will save us. Believe this, as a child, then go out and obey.
Praise Be to God
