In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus is asked about the legality of divorce by the Pharisees. They bring up the Mosaic Law, which allows for divorce, and ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Jesus responds by saying that divorce was only allowed because of the hardness of the people's hearts, but that it was not God's original plan for marriage. He then quotes from the book of Genesis, saying "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Matthew 19:5)
Jesus goes on to say that once a man and a woman are joined in marriage, they are no longer two separate individuals, but rather one flesh. Therefore, any separation, whether through divorce or any other means, is a violation of God's original plan for marriage. He then says that whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
The disciples, hearing this, are shocked and ask Jesus if it is better not to marry at all. Jesus responds by saying that not everyone can accept this teaching, but that for some it is better not to marry. He then goes on to talk about the difficulty of remaining celibate for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
This passage is significant in that it teaches the sanctity of marriage and the importance of remaining faithful to one's spouse. Jesus' words make it clear that divorce is not something to be taken lightly, and that it is a violation of God's original plan for marriage. He also highlights the importance of remaining celibate for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, showing that not everyone is called to marriage.
This passage is also significant in that it teaches that God's love for us is boundless and forgiving. Even though the Mosaic Law allowed for divorce, Jesus teaches that it is not God's original plan for marriage. However, He also reminds us that God's love is forgiving and that no sin is beyond redemption.
It is also worth noting that Jesus is not saying that divorce is a sin in all cases, but rather He is clarifying that God's original plan for marriage is for it to be a lifelong commitment and that any separation, whether through divorce or any other means, is a violation of that plan. The context of Matthew 19:3-9 is about the Pharisees, who were trying to test Jesus, asking about divorce for any reason. Jesus is pointing out that divorce should not be taken lightly, and that it is not something that should be done for trivial reasons.
Overall, Matthew 19:3-9 teaches us the sanctity of marriage and the importance of remaining faithful to one's spouse. It teaches us that divorce is not something to be taken lightly, and that it is not God's original plan for marriage. It also reminds us that God's love is forgiving and that no sin is beyond redemption.
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