Unfortunately we can relate. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we are often boastful about the grace of God (when it comes to us!) but stingy with it when it comes to others. It can be difficult to deal with other people sometimes, but it becomes easier if we are mindful of our own sin and weaknesses. Verse 35 just resounds in my mind and brings a bit of fear to my heart, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from the heart." What a powerful statement. And today the last few words caught my attention even more...from the heart. Sometimes we think we can fool God by saying that we forgive someone and acting nice to them although we still harbor spiteful feelings in our hearts, but we are only fooling ourselves.
Divorce
It's interesting that it's typically the religious folks that tried to test Jesus. This time it's the Pharisees and they're asking Jesus if it's ok for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason. Jesus reminds them of the giving of marriage by God to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden saying that they were no longer two but one and "what God has joined together, let man not separate." Have you ever payed attention to the fact that it says what GOD has joined together? Have you ever thought of your spouse in those terms? That just might have the power to change a lot of marriages.
The Pharisees go on with their testing asking why then, if this is the case, did Moses allow for divorce. Jesus answers them saying it was because of their hardness of heart. But Jesus teaches them that anyone who divorces for a reason other than marital unfaithfulness has committed adultery. Amazingly, His disciples reply that if this is how it is then it's better not to get married!
Why is divorce so serious to God? Because it's a shadow of His relationship with us. Our relationship with God is one that should portray unconditional love, forgiveness, grace, kindness, charity, and it should never end. If marriage was created to display the type of love God has for us, then obviously that example has been messed up incredibly in our world today. 50 % of all marriages (including those of Christians) end in divorce. Perhaps this is part of the reason nonbelievers question God's goodness?
Marriage is a gift from God and is not to be entered into lightly. May we reclaim this gift and treat it with the utmost respect, and may God allow it to once again (at least in the Christian community) display His great love for us.
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