Some Pharisees came to Jesus with a tricky question about divorce. Can a man divorce his wife for any and every reason (3)? Their intention was to make Jesus offend those who followed Moses’ law. Moses allowed a man to divorce his wife by giving her a certificate of divorce (7, Dt 24:1), and the teachers of the law developed traditions for divorce for “any” reason, such as burning dinner; in fact, anything that displeased a man.

Jesus responded to their challenge by reminding them of the fundamentals of marriage. The institution of marriage was given by the creator God from the beginning for a man and his wife to be united as one. They become one flesh, as a family joined by God (6). Moses’ permission to divorce was not a command but a concession in response to their hardened hearts, and those who divorce according to their feelings would be held accountable for their actions (9).

Even the disciples had a hard time accepting the level of commitment required in a marriage (10). Entering marriage takes faith in the creator God, who put us together as one with his good purpose. This faith is like little children who recognize and trust those who love them (14).
Application: Father, you are the head of my family. I pray to glorify your name through my marriage, rather than pacifying my own desires.
One Word: The marriage belongs to God