WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT MARRIAGE?  PART 2
Matthew 5:31-32

In our previous study we learned that the majority of people living during the days of Jesus, believed that divorce should be granted for a variety of reasons, resulting in many of the young women being unwilling to enter into marriage because marriage was very insecure. 

In verses 31 and 32 of Matthew 5, Jesus makes a rather strong statement about marriage.  He further amplifies this with some instruction found in Matthew 19:1-12.  I think we can summarize the teachings of Jesus with the following statements.

1. Jesus taught that marriage was exclusive.  It was to between a man and a woman.  Listen to His words from Matthew 19:4 - And He answered and said, “Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female….
   
   
2. Jesus taught that a marriage was permanent.  Jesus said this in Matthew 19:5 – for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife….  The word translated “cleave” meant to be permanently attached to someone.  How we need to re-emphasize the need for a commitment for the long haul in marriage.  Marriage is a marathon and not a sprint.
   
   
3. Jesus taught that a marriage was to achieve unity.  Again I refer to Matthew 19:5 where Jesus said, and the two shall become one flesh.  The concept of “one flesh” refers to both the physical and spiritual unity that should characterize a marriage.  This unity takes time to blossom.  Any two people can live together, but it takes time to begin to think as one.
   
   
4. Jesus taught that the marriage union was created by God, for He says in Matthew 19:6, "Consequently they are no more two, but one flesh.  What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."  Friends, I wish I had the time to share with you how I met my wife, but of this I am confident, it was God who brought us together.  And I praise God for this gift of His love.

Friends, there is a need today to reaffirm marriage.  But there is also a need today
reaffirm those who lives have been shattered because of divorce.  Divorce is not the unforgivable sin.  People who have been divorced are not second class people.  They are not to be ostracized from the family of God.  They do need the reaffirmation that God loves them, that God stands ready to bring healing into their lives, and that they can once again become productive for Christ. 

Father, I thank You for the gift of marriage.  I thank You for that very special life-partner You have given to me.  But, Father, I pray for those who need a special touch from Your hand today because they have experienced the pains of divorce.  Father, cause them to experience anew You wonderful love.  Bring healing and encouragement to them, Father, because they are Your children.  This I pray in Christ’s name.  Amen. 

 

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