Jesus' teachings about marriage
By Johnny Angel
Matthew 19:[1] When Jesus finshed teaching, he left Galilee and went
to the part of Judea that is east of the Jordan River. [2] Large crowds
follwed him, and he healed their sick people.
[3] Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. They came up to him and
asked, "Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"
[4] Jesus answered, "Don't you know that in the beginning the Creator
made a man and a woman? [5] That's why a man leaves his father and
mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife. [6]
Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should
separate a couple that God has joined together."
[7] The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why did Moses say that a man could
write out divorce papers and send his wife away?"
[8] Jesus replied, "You are so heartless! That's why Moses allowed
you to divorce your wife. But from the beginning God did not intend it
to be that way. [9] I say that if your wife has not committed some terrible
sexual sin, you must not divorce her to marry someone else. If you do,
you ar unfaithful."
[10] The disciples said, "If that's how it is between a man and a
woman, it's better not to get married."
[11] Jesus told them, "Only those people who have been given the gift
of staying single can accept this teaching. [12] Some people are
unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone
else has done to their bodies. Others stay single in order to serve God
better. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so." (CEV)
I run in to lots of people who hurry and get married. Many times, their
marriages end once the excitement is over. One person even shared
with me that he married a "supermodel", and it didn't work out because
he was only interested in how she looked. He said it's much better to
marry someone who is your close friend and has a great personality.
I find it interesting that these "religious" people were asking Jesus if
divorce is okay. In verse 8, Jesus replied, "You are so heartless!
That's why Moses allowed you to divorce your wife. But from the
beginning, God did not attend it that way." (CEV) It seems that our
trying to tell God what we want just leads us to problems.
I find verses 10-12 very interesting. I've always thought that Paul is the
one who pushes the concept of staying single to accomplish more for
God. But here, Jesus says that some people have the ability to stay
single in order to do more for God.
Marrying the wrong person can certainly mess up what God wants to
do with your life. But marrying the person who is sent from God will
mean that the two of you can accomplish great things together for
God's kingdom.
With dating and marriage, it's best to wait on God and involve
ourselves in His work. By doing this, we will find true happiness and
the plans that God has for us.
N Prayer,
Johnny <*}}}><