Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV)
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Verse 2Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" Verse 3He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" Verse 4They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." Verse 5But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. Verse 6But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' Verse 7'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, Verse 8and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Verse 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Verse 10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. Verse 11He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; Verse 12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Verse 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. Verse 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Verse 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Verse 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Devotion
When asked about issues of divorce and remarriage, Jesus opts to draw on scripture, highlighting Genesis 2: “They are no longer two but one flesh.” Jesus stresses the spiritual pain associated with the brokenness of our relationships when those who are joined into one flesh are torn apart.
The desire to serve the self and one’s own lusts and ambitions, as opposed to living for the sake of the other, leads us down paths that cause distrust, pain and harm to the one we have been joined with as intimately as two people can be.
Separation between the two is thus very much like ripping a part of yourself out and casting it aside. Anger and bitterness associated with such pain means healing can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, depending on how deeply the pain cuts.
Prayer
Holy Lord, you bring two people together to become one flesh. Due to our sinful, selfish nature, we destroy that flesh and that oneness. Renew us, O Lord, in our relationships with one another, that there may be forgiveness, reconciliation, and life-giving care for each other. Amen.