DIVORCE

Matthew 19:1-12

When Jesus had finished saying these things

He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea

To the other side of the Jordan.

2 LARGE CROWDS FOLLOWED HIM,

AND HE HEALED THEM THERE.

3Some Pharisees came to Him to Test Him.

They asked,

'IS IT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO DIVORCE HIS WIFE

FOR ANY AND EVERY REASON?'

4 'Haven't you read He replied.'

THAT AT THE BEGINNING THE CREATOR

MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,

AND SAID.

5 FOR THIS REASON

A MAN WILL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER

AND BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE,

AND THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH?

6 SO THEY ARE NO LONGER TWO, BUT ONE.

THEREFORE WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER,

LET MAN NOT SEPARATE.'

7 'Why then, they asked,

'Did Moses Command that a man give his wife

A Certificate of Divorce

And send her away?'

8 Jesus replied,

'MOSES PERMITTED YOU TO DIVORCE YOUR WIVES

BECAUSE YOUR HEARTS WERE HARD.

BUT IT WAS NOT THAT WAY FROM THE BEGINNING.

9 I TELL YOU THAT ANYONE WHO DIVORECES HIS WIFE,

EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS,

AND MARRIES ANOTHER WOMAN COMMITS ADULTERY.'

10 The Disciples said to Him,

'IF THIS IS THE SITUATION

BETWEEN A HUSBAND AND WIFE,

IT IS BETTER NOT TO MARRY.'

11Jesus replied,

'NOT EVERYONE CAN ACCEPT THIS TEACHING,

BUT ONLY THOSE TO WHOM IT HAS BEEN GIVEN.

12 FOR SOME ARE EUNUCHS

BECAUSE THEY WERE BORN THAT WAY;

OTHERS WERE MADE THAT WAY BY MEN;

AND OTHER HAVE RENOUNCED MARRIAGE

BECAUSE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

THE ONE WHO CAN ACCEPT THIS SHOULD ACCEPT IT.'

(Matthew 19:1-12)

Marriage is a Sacred Institution before the Living God

As it is through this Institution that children are raised

In the admonition of God

And carry on the life God intended.

God is Faithful,

And Faithfulness is paramount

To maintain the life God intended.

When men and women are not Faithful to one another,

They make a mockery of the life

They have been given by God,

And they make it difficult for their children

To able to achieve the life

That God intended for them.

Married people are an Example to their children

Of life as God intended.

This Example is critical for them to understand

Life as God interned.

This Example is perhaps the most important Lesson

They will have in this life.