Daily Word - Divorce? - Matthew 19:1-12

Scripture:
Matthew 19:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Question of Divorce
Matthew 19
1 When Jesus had finished this instruction, (A) He departed from Galilee and went to the region of Judea across the Jordan. (B) 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. (C) 3 Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?" (D)
4 "Haven't you read," He replied, "that He who created [a] them in the beginning made them male and female , (E) (F) 5 and He also said:
For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh ? (G) (H)
6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate."
7 "Why then," they asked Him, "did Moses command [us] to give divorce papers (I) and to send her away?"
8 He told them, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts. But it was not like that from the beginning. 9 And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." (J) [b]
10 His disciples (K) said to Him, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it's better not to marry!"
11 But He told them, "Not everyone can accept this saying, but only those it has been given (L) to. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, there are eunuchs who were made by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves that way because of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."

Footnotes:
Matthew 19:4 Other mss read made
Matthew 19:9 Other mss add Also whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; [Mt 5:32]
Cross references:
Matthew 19:1 : Mk 10:1-12;
Matthew 19:1 : Mt 7:28; Lk 9:51; Jn 10:40;
Matthew 19:2 : Mt 4:23; 12:15;
Matthew 19:3 : Mt 5:31; Jn 8:6;
Matthew 19:4 : Gn 1:27; 2:18; 5:2; Mt 21:16;
Matthew 19:4 : Gn 1:27; 5:2;
Matthew 19:5 : Gn 2:24; Mal 2:15; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31;
Matthew 19:5 : Gn 2:24;
Matthew 19:7 : Dt 24:1-4; Mt 5:31;
Matthew 19:9 : Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18;
Matthew 19:10 : Mt 10:1; 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16;
Matthew 19:11 : Mt 13:11; 1Co 7:7;

Reflection:
What is God's intention for our state in life, whether married or single? Jesus deals with the issue of divorce by taking his hearers back to the beginning of creation and to God's plan for the human race. In Genesis 2:23-24 we see God's intention and ideal that two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve. They were created for each other and for no one else. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come. Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state before those who are willing to accept his commands. Jesus, likewise sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives the grace and power to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek Christ and his grace in your state of life?

Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives--as married couples and as singles--that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord.