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2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:2-16 NIV)
A blessed and safe Monday to you, ConCafe Family! Open up your soul to receive the joy of the Lord into your life in such genereous portions that you have to share Him with all! May you,dear Reader, shine love in all things. I just learned that yet another first cousin has died. I don't know the reason or cause, but please keep the family of Joe Jimenez in your prayers. In less than 9 months, my aunt, her youngest son, and now the oldest son, have died. May God show His comfort and grace to the Jimenez family of Kingsville. Pray for the needs of those who have asked prayers of you; pray for others, and pray for your needs, in faith and hope.
Always with the tricks and traps, the Pharisees seek to trap Jesus on a highly sensitive issue, divorce. Divorce was a delicate subject even during Jesus' day and Jesus' answer could sway their cause in a harmful way, but they would soon learn that there is no tricking Jesus. He replies with a question about their history of divorce; "What did Moses command you?" They could only reply with the historical answer. Moses did not condone divorce, but he was aware of the practice present during his day of the man who no longer wished to be married could take the wife's possessions and place them outside their tent. The woman upon returning to her home would question the intent of such an act. This led to the women asking Moses for a decision, and his decision was to allow the husband to write a certificate of divorce and thus send her away clear that that the husband no longer wanted her and that the marriage was over. The practice was still in effect during Jesus' day and thus what He says, "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law, but at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female le.' And He reminds them of the scripture from Genesis, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh,' so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Boom. The law as interpreted by God's Son. Not quite what the Pharisees wanted to hear or even learn. Jesus is stressing the importance and seriousness of marriage; and the reality of how lax the people of that day had taken marriage. And so later, in the privacy of the dwelling in which they were staying, the disciples wanted to know more about what Jesus had said. Jesus answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." This is how serious God intends all who marry are to take their marriage. There are, I need to point out, sometimes serious issues that do cause couples to divorce. You know what those reasons are, and sometimes the only remedy is to split up. I believe God understand those times and reasons. What Jesus is attacking are those who grow tired of their spouse and who believe in getting a new partner, or a younger one, or a more attractive one, and you can probably finish the list, those are the things Jesus is saying that God will not tolerate.
And, as if to further illustrate the seriousness of divorce, Jesus brings the children who were being brought to Him for Him to lay hands on them; even after the disciples wanted to send them away. Jesus is angered and said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Jesus took this opportunity to illustrate that in some circumstances the victims, the ones most seriously hurt, are the children of the marriages that break up. Jesus adds, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And Jesus takes the children in His arms and places His hands on them and blessed them.
If you are married, or in a serious relationship, what is a key word that blesses you and keeps you moving ever forward and upward in that relationship? For me the word is appreciation; I have such an appreciation to God for helping me find my wife, and an appreciation for my wife for putting up with me all these years. I can never take her or God for granted. Don't get me wrong, the better and higher word is love. I love God and I love Nellie; but hand-in-hand love and appreciation allow me to travel farther and do more than if I just took for granted all the blessings that God has shared with me. And you know, the word might just be one in the vows; cherish. God invites us to go deeper and more spiritual in our relationships, and with His help we can overcome any and all challenges that may come our way. If you're facing challenges, after praying and listening to the Lord, seek help from your pastor or counselor. Seek a solution if there is one to be found. Seek the high road, God's road and as was said in yesterday's sermon, seek to have the mind of Christ in all decisions and matters you face.
PRAYER: God of love, shine upon this dear reader in ways that bless his or her situation. Make real the notion of cherishing the important people in their lives. Make us models of love and understanding, seeking to make real in daily life, the teachings of Jesus our Lord. It is in His mighty name that we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Seek to be a person who models Jesus as Lord and Savior today!
Receive my blessings of grace and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
