Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount: Exceeding Righteousness (4)

Pray Psalm 19.7, 8.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes…

Sing with a grateful heart Psalm 19.7, 8.
(St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure.
The simple man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure.
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts;
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts.

Read Matthew 5.1-32; meditate on verses 31, 32.

Prepare.
1. Did Jesus condone divorce “for any reason”?

2. What grounds for divorce did Jesus acknowledge?

Meditate.
God never intended that married couples should divorce, especially not those who enter into this sacred union before Him and unto His glory. But sin changed everything, so that even something so important and sacred as marriage could be damaged beyond repair. God understood this, and in His Law, as Jesus explained in Matthew 19.8, He graciously provided a means for dissolving marriage under certain circumstances. The Law’s concession to divorce is not a weakness of the Law; it is a gracious provision of God’s Law which acknowledges the hardness of human hearts. Divorce, Moses taught, may be necessary at times.

But not for just “any reason”. These days, divorces are as easy to obtain as a driver’s license. This is a measure of how far our society has drifted from its moorings in the Law of God (a fact of America’s provenance that Tocqueville found most laudable).

In these verses, Jesus tightened the restrictions on divorce. But we would expect that. In the Kingdom of God, people are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, not for their own way. As we shall see, they have the power of God’s Word and Spirit to aid them in their Kingdom-seeking way of life. So we can stay in the stream of mercy and grace, and love one another as Jesus loves us. Sexual immorality – of all kinds – is a legitimate grounds for pursuing divorce (Paul will also add abandonment in 1 Corinthians 7). Those who engage in any unlawful sexual activity – beginning, as Jesus explained, with unfaithfulness in their heart (v. 28) – demonstrate that they are not hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

Jesus indicates that those who are divorced because of sexual immorality should not remarry. And one should not seek to become married to one who was divorced because of sexual immorality. These strictures will seem unreasonable and harsh to our modern world. But they come from the Prince of peace, the King of grace, and the Wisdom of God. We should listen to Him and His Spirit, and not the spirit of the age. If we want marriages that work to fill the earth with the goodness of God, we have to guard them assiduously against the corrupting powers of immorality.

Reflect.
1. Why would Jesus grant any grounds for divorce?

2. We all know people who’ve been divorced for various reasons. Should we condemn them? Why not?

3. How can believers help one another to be faithful to their marriage vows?

One who does not look with unchaste eyes upon another woman will certainly not commit fornication. By not committing fornication he will give no occasion that they should become alienated. Thus you see Jesus presses his point without reserve and builds up this fear as a bulwark, urging on the husband great danger, who if he does cast her out, makes himself accountable for her adultery. John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 17.4

Thank You for the gift of marriage, Lord, and that we may glorify You in marriage as we…

Pray Psalm 19.9-14.
Can you see how keeping God’s Law strengthens us in the pursuit of righteousness? How can the Law of God help you improve your relationships today?

Sing Psalm 19.9-14.
Psalm 19.9-14 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The fear of God is cleansing, forever shall it last.
His judgments all are true and just, by righteousness held fast.
O seek them more than gold most fine, than honey find them sweet;
Be warned by every word and line; be blessed with joy complete.

Who, Lord, can know his errors? O keep sin far from me!
Let evil rule not in my soul that I may blameless be.
O let my thoughts, let all my words, before Your glorious sight
Be pleasing to You, gracious Lord, acceptable and right!

T. M. Moore

We are pleased to offer Worship Guides for use in your family or small group. Each guide includes a complete service of worship, and they are free to download and share by clicking here.

If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).