DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For January 29, 2023 : Topic – Christ Prohibits Divorce
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 47
CHRIST PROHIBITS DIVORCE
TEXT: Matthew 19:1-15; Mark 10:1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shell be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:5,6).
While Jesus was on earth, He was deeply involved in the ministry of preaching, teaching and healing. However, He did not allow the miracles which He performed to distract Him from preaching the truth as it touches different areas of life. Today’s study which is derived from two parallel synoptic Gospels reveals to us God’s expectations, demands and rules for the institution of marriage. Jesus instructed us on how we are expected to live our lives when we get married. His instruction is superior to any Other view or teachings on marriage. Believing youths must therefore, make up their minds that when they get married’ they will comply with the scriptural dictates from the Author of marriage Himself; rather than borrowing ideas and opinions from the world and modern-day theories.
CHRIST’S PRECEPTS ON MARRIAGE (Matthew 19:16; Genesis 2:18; I Corinthians 7:1-3; Mark 10:7,8; Ephesians 5:21-23)
Marriage institution has been abused across generations. This is so because Satan is also interested in marriage. As a result, he has filled the world with several false teachings about marriage. When Jesus came to Judea, the Pharisees questioned Him: “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause” (Matthew 19:3). This, they did with an evil intention, tempting Him. During the time of Christ, the Pharisees knew His teachings on the permanence of marriage. Instead of adhering to His teachings and instructions, they would rather want Him to approve their errors and evil ways. But Jesus pointed them to the Scripture and said, “…Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female” (Matthew 19:4). The Scripture is the only guiding manual for marriage. Any writing, opinion or instruction from whoever which opposes the Scripture should be disregarded and discarded. Jesus referred them to the beginning of marriage. This is because It is from the beginning that we can understand the purpose of marriage and all the fundamentals that we need to know about marriage.
Question 1: What are some of the unscriptural marriages practiced in the world?
The following facts appeared from the beginning: one, marriage is between a man and a woman: “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6). This contradicts the teaching and the Practice of same sex marriage. Homosexuality and gay marriages are prohibited by God and they are abomination in His sight. Also, marriage institution was intended by God between one man and one woman as He did not create and Present two women to Adam. Also, marriage is not between a boy and a girl. This means that you must be matured spiritually, physically, financially and emotionally before you get into marriage. In summary, heterosexual and monogamy is the scriptural standard in marriage. Two, marriage is a sacred institution. It is God’s idea and not a derivation of any culture. “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; 1 will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2: 18). We see marriage here innovated and authored by God for partnership so that each other could find help, comfort and succor from one another. This is why as a youth, you must realize that God has a plan for you. When you get to the point of marriage, you need to pray unto God who will guide you on the choice of a life partner. Three, marriage is also meant for purity. Apostle Paul confirmed this when he said, “Nevertheless to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). Marriage thus, becomes a means through which legitimate pleasure could be enjoyed between a matured man and a woman, thus enabling moral purity among human beings in general. As a youth, you must keep yourself pure until you get married and not be involved in the sin of fornication. Four, God also instructed multiplication of human seeds through marriage (Genesis 1:27,28). Marriage becomes the only means through which this becomes achievable. Hence, marriage was established for procreation. Having children outside wedlock is not in line with the plan of God.
Question 2: Give some fundamental facts on marriage as taught by Jesus Christ.
Jesus spoke further, “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:5,6). From these verses, Jesus made us to understand that the original plan of God for marriage was that a man would leave his father and mother and would be joined to his wife. From the above teaching of the Lord, we understand that: one, two people are divinely united to become one. Two, matrimonial Union is more intimate and binding than parental or filial affection. Three, the union in body means a union in spirit, mind, interest, vision, decision and other such that any separation would cause damages to their lives and personalities. Five, the union is based on a pure of love that warms their lives. Six, such union is so beautiful, precious and delightful that it cannot and should not be put asunder. Seven, God Himself has yoked or joined them together and He only can terminate the union through death.
CHRIST PROHIBITS DIVORCE IN MARRIAGE (Matthew 19:7-9; Genesis 2: 18; Malachi 2: 16; Mark 10:4-9)
In an attempt to strengthen their argument, the Pharisees asked, “Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?”
Question 3: Explain the stand of the Bible on divorce and remarriage.
But Christ, the final authority on all issues explained it was for the hardness of their hearts (Matthew 19:8). Moses did not command them as they wrongly posited, but permitted them. “In the beginning it was not so” (Matthew 19:8). Later in the Scripture, the position of God on the issue of divorce was made clear. “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith he hateth putting away…” (Malachi 2:16). Divorce and remarriage while the former partner lives is human ideas that contradicts divine arrangement (I Corinthians 7:39). The right to remarry is only allowed when one of the spouses dies. “And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter …if the case of the man be so with his wife, it not good to marry” (Mark 10:10; Matthew 19:10). The disciples, hearing Christ’s teachings on marriage felt it was better not to marry at all. They received the teaching as entirely new in that age and impracticable. Today, some single brothers and sisters see marriage as a burden and refuse to marry. But this is contrary to the plan of God for man. “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). Some also misunderstood Paul’s assertion in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. A casual reader would think Paul was making a case for celibacy or stating that the married state is inferior to being single, but this is not so. Rather, he points out that marriage confers additional responsibility on a person, and if not properly handled, could become a distraction in our personal walk with God. Obviously, being single does not automatically make a person more spiritual, or vice versa. What brings the difference is the priority one places on spiritual pursuit and the readiness to make necessary sacrifices for personal growth in the Lord. Christ then told the disciples that most men and women are to marry except for special case where God allows an individual not to get married — for example, Paul the apostle. These few exceptions are to receive God’s guidance and are not to be product of infantile decision, misguided imitations, faithless consecration or frivolous religious practice.
CHRIST’S POSITION ON CHILDREN (Matthew 19:10-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18: 15; Matthew 18:3)
“But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them and departed thence” (Matthew 19: 14, 15). As the children were brought to Christ, the disciples disallowed them from getting access to Him. But Christ, having knowledge of this, received and blessed them. The action of Christ’s disciples reflects the attitude of some so-called believers and churches. They relegate the place of the children to the background. Some churches do not make good place of worship for them. But Christ said “…for of such is the kingdom of heaven”. Having laid his blessing on marriage, the Lord now blesses its fruits. He saw children as the product of divinely ordained noon of marriage. The children were brought to Christ as a holy and heavenly-sent teacher that He should put His hands on them and pray. This is a challenge to parents of our days who occupy their children with other things without showing them the way to Christ. When we lead our children to Christ at their early stage, it helps them to have encounter with Him and to receive the touch of Jesus. He gives to all who come unto Him, a cleansing touch (Matthew 8: 16), a quieting and illuminating touch (Matthew 9:29 ,30), a reassuring touch (Matthew 17:7), a liberating touch (Mark 7:33-35) and a healing touch (Luke 22:6,19,51).
Question 4: Mention some characters of tittle children which we must possess if we want to enter God’s kingdom.
“…For of such is the kingdom of heaven”. What Jesus meant here was that those that would enter Christ’s kingdom must be pure, simple, humble, forgiving and obedient as little children.