Marriage is for life
Jesus clearly believes that marriage is for life. However, he does note that in the Old Testament, there is an understanding that human nature is weak. And that divorce was a provision for this weakness.
Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ ‘What did Moses command you?’ he replied. They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.’ ‘It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,’ Jesus replied. ‘But at the beginning of creation God “made them male and female”. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
Mark 10:1-9
The Marriage bond can be broken
Although forgiveness and reconciliation are core values of the Christian faith, Jesus does believe there are exceptional circumstances when the marriage bond can be broken. The very sad experience of martial unfaithfulness is one of these circumstances.
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.’
Matthew 19: 9
Another circumstance
Another such circumstance is when a partner leaves.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
1 Corinthians 7: 13-15
The God of second chances
Jesus clearly believes in second chances.
‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’
Mark 1:15
It will involve trusting God and one another for forgiveness and love. It may involve a determination to live differently in the future and to learn new habits.
God’s resources
Marriage is wonderful but it is also challenging, especially if we have been hurt by the past experiences or we have walked down wrong pathways and developed inappropriate habits. We need God’s resources for healing, wholeness and health. Regular Church involvement can help us get in touch with these resources.
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39
