Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

August 26, 2018

Matthew 19:1 – 15 Marriage & Divorce (Part 1)

{vs. 1-2} Although most will read right past verses 1 and 2, I want you to stop with me for a moment on these verses, because they mark a very significant transition in the life of our Lord and the gospel of Matthew.  At the end of each major discourse, Matthew wraps up with the phrase “When Jesus had finished saying these things”.  This is a new section in Matthew and the end of the Galilean Ministry; the time spent shinning that great light in “galilee of the gentiles”.  It is a monumental moment in the life of our Lord, which inches Him/us closer to the cross.  In this short description, we see that the Lord turned from Galilee up in the north to go south toward Jerusalem and His ultimate rejection.  However, He is not yet out of time – there is more to do before the events of Passion Week.  Instead of going directly South, Jesus first heads to the east, to the area across and on the other side of the Jordan.  Why?  Because He has appointed ministry to do there, people to see and messages to preach - before His time comes.  This area was known as Perea, derived from the Hebrew Peran, which means “beyond”.  This was the wilderness beyond or on the other side of the Jordan, which in Jesus day had become inhabited.  It was under the rule of Herod Antipas like Galilee (make note, that will be important).  Some followed to hear Jesus, others resided there – but we once again see Jesus ministering to the crowds.  In addition to this ministry, this route is another example of God’s perfect timing . . . it positions Jesus to come back into Jerusalem, across the Jordan with the pilgrims arriving for the annual festivals.  He and His disciples will merge right into the caravans as they walk those long dusty roads.

{vs. 3} This is the backdrop for today’s text – as Jesus is ministering, the Pharisees follow Him and once again are plotting their perfect plan to “take Jesus down”.  It is important to realize that while they did not want a real answer from Jesus – He did give one, for those of us who really do want to know what God says about the issues of marriage and divorce.  I want to make sure you heard that – what God says!  This is a very emotionally charged and messy subject when you get to real life situations, but if you have a problem don’t come after me (just as they couldn’t argue with Jesus when He taught this) - - - talk to God, this is His Word, His design for marriage and we will be treating it as such today.  If you are God’s child, submitted to doing His will then this is binding on your life.  If you are not a believer, not recognizing the Bible as inerrant and divinely inspired – go on doing whatever you want to (it’s sin and it will have consequences but we should expect sinners to go on sinning).

The Pharisees have as we recall, set themselves up to be Jesus’ antagonists (even archenemies).  Representatives of the group followed Jesus everywhere He went, hoping to catch Him in some error or unpopular stance so they could discredit Him.  This time, they think that they have the perfect trap!  Isn’t that sad?  The Pharisees aren’t the only ones to do this - we too, think (even for brief moments) that we can outfox or argue with God until He gives in or sees things our way.  They bring to Jesus one of the most contentious questions of the day – one that they could not settle (using or even twisting the scriptures) – that of divorce.  The rabbis were divided between two opinions – yes, any old reason is good enough to ditch the – well, you know to divorce; and no, only adultery was a sufficient reason to split.  Both camps of course held that only the man could divorce the wife (sorry, Jesus gave women value but he #metoo movement is a long time off); Roman law however did allow some rights to women!  There were two rabbis who lead these camps: Rabbi Shammai and Rabbi Hillel – both famous and considered authoritative (great scholars and men of God) – their writings were treated with as much respect as scripture by their followers. 

· Shammai held the unpopular view that there was no divorce, the only exception was for adultery and that required the death penalty - - - so the issue resolved itself!  This is a very simple, unambiguous rule that was easy to declare.  This strict rule however, rubbed all but a few ultra-orthodox Pharisees the wrong way.

· Hillel (who by the way had just passed off the scene about two decades before this) taught the much more popular opinion that any reason was good enough.  His writings said that these were reasons for a man to divorce his wife:  She burnt or over salted the food (so if you want get rid of your wife, stoke the fire in the oven when she’s not looking), if in public, she let down her hair or spun around (letting her knees be seen), if she said something bad against her mother-in-law or if she talked to other men (not family members).  Hillel even argued that if you saw another woman and she caught your eye (fancy), that would cause you to lose favor in your wife and that was cause for divorce.

The Pharisees really out did themselves in putting this test together (one they desperately wanted Jesus to fail) –

o this was a really tough question, (Notice the implied arrogance – if I can’t figure this out, then Jesus won’t be able to either.) 

o Divorce was rampant, almost everyone was involved, affected by or knew someone who was affected by it just like today.  Divorce touches so many lives – the couple, the children, extended family and friends and it weakens the home and society causing increased crime, etc. etc.

o they already knew Jesus’ answer from previous encounters.  Jesus held a strict interpretation of adultery, marriage and divorce (Matthew 5:27-32).  When you are trying to win a debate, you never ask a question that you don’t know the answer to ahead of time!  I believe this also shows a sense of conviction in the religious leaders, deep down they must have known this liberal divorce theology wasn’t godly.  If Jesus had blurted out something like “yes, you’re all a bunch of adulterous . . .” they would have jumped for joy and spread the news in order to discredit Him with the people!

o they also hoped for a final outcome – I am sure that the Pharisees held out hope that Jesus would take a strong stand and Herod Antipas would do to Jesus, what he had done to John the Baptist (who was imprisoned near this area, until his end came that is).

{vs. 4-6} Jesus is God, and there is no trapping or tripping Him up!  Instead of playing their game by their rules, Jesus does the unexpected and gives them the direct scriptures, that they as experts in the Law should have understood.  I love the way He starts - "Haven't you read", shaming them for not knowing what God has to say about this!  The quotes that Jesus uses are from Genesis chapters 1 and 2 – literally, scroll number one at the top of the page!

In these three verses, Jesus sums up God’s intent for marriage – His perfect plan declared even before the Fall.  Sadly, we live in an imperfect world marred by sin and it is hard to come close to living up to this ideal – even with two believers (imperfect sinners forgiven by God’s grace).  However, try to do this with nonbelievers and it is completely impossible!  In these quoted verses (Genesis 1:27 & 2:24) we have three principles to examine:

o ‘at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female’ – God the Almighty, Omniscient started the world out with one pair (male and female – in the text this is the emphasis).  He did not create spares or extras – it was Adam and Eve, no Steves or Genevieves!  God also did not create a group, who could date and narrow down their choices, giving each other roses each week until they were left with the one for them.  We can joke around but in this, God shows His ideal – no provision for polygamy or divorce, who could they remarry?  Adam had Eve or nothing and vice versa (It was a very limited dating pool – praise God they were made for each other!)

o ‘the two will become one flesh' – God describes the reason or purpose for marriage (the union), which is a cleaving (NIV be united) or gluing together into one new person.  Even when there was only Adam and Eve, God lays out for future generations what should happen – the man (and woman) will leave behind their old life, even mother and father and cease to be individuals to become a combined undividable new whole!  The word cleave implies two things – to be stuck to and also to pursue closely or cling to.  In marriage not only are we united but we also have the responsibility to hold on for dear life!  If someone was trying to cut, rip or sever a part of you – you wouldn’t just rest in the knowledge that that is mine, you would protect and defend the part of your being!

o ‘Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’ – This is Jesus’ commentary or explanation of the quotes!  God is saying when two people come together to make a union (get married) I (God) am the One joining them.  God puts His blessing on and consecrates these couples for each other.  In fact, the Hebrew word for consecrate kiddushin translates as ‘set apart for, sanctified or devoted to’ and it is used for both things devoted to God and husband and wife devoted to each other!  Consider that for a moment, God has the same passion for a married couple that we see Him have in the Old Testament for ‘Holy or devoted things’!  If you have any doubt consider the case of poor Uzzah, a Levite (priestly helper) who with good intentions reached out to touch the Ark of God (to support it from falling) and was struck dead by God!  Don’t touch devoted or consecrated things!

o The second part of this is equally as strong – ‘let no one separate’, put asunder or divorce.  I want to make you aware that this is all inclusive, not just ‘man’ as the King James and other versions put it but any member of mankind (whether male of female).  This means any person within the marriage (husband or wife) and any person outside the marriage (the temptress, the boss, the family, etc., etc.)  Jesus’ conclusion is that to cause a divorce is to work against God – to undo what He has done!

This again is God’s ideal – the design from the very beginning.  It applied after the Fall, it applied in pagan cultures, in Jewish culture and yes, it still applies in today’s culture!  It not only applies to cultures but also to individuals!  This is not so that we can be trapped, or miserable but because this is how to enjoy a life-long committed (covenant) relationship – God wants the best for us (His children).  We however, try to cut corners and cheat - I’ve heard people trying to find loopholes or excuses – like “well, we didn’t get married in the church” – that does not matter - - - God sees weddings in the park, weddings on a ship at sea and even weddings at city hall.  Or how about “I didn’t marry the one that God choose for me” or “God is leading me to divorce” – that is not God’s design or plan!  Scripture does not tell us that God has a special someone chosen just for you – but it does tell us what God thinks about marriage – let no one separate! 

Next time we will look at the balance of this text, the disciples thoughts and I want to add some other scripture to deal with the messy situations we get ourselves into when we don’t follow God’s ideal!