Mark 10:2-16
Mark 10:2 Some P’rushim came up and tried to trap him by asking him, “Does the Torah permit a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He replied, “What did Moshe command you?” 4 They said, “Moshe allowed a man to hand his wife a get and divorce her.”[Mark 10:4 Deuteronomy 24:1, 3] 5 But Yeshua said to them, “He wrote this commandment for you because of your hardheartedness. 6 However, at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.[Mark 10:6 Genesis 1:27, 5:2] 7 For this reason, a man should leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, 8 and the two are to become one flesh.[Mark 10:8 Genesis 2:24] Thus they are no longer two, but one. 9 So then, no one should break apart what God has joined together.” 10 When they were indoors once more, the talmidimasked him about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his wife; 12 and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she too commits adultery.”
13 People were bringing children to him so that he might touch them, but the talmidim rebuked those people. 14 However, when Yeshua saw it, he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me, don’t stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Yes! I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it!” 16 And he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and made a b’rakhah over them. (Complete Jewish Bible).
None of us loves perfectly. The gospel is not for the perfect and it is hardest on those who think they are. The most helpful quip I received about becoming a parent was, "I raised several perfect children before I had my own."
It is vital to notice that these potent words are not directed at people suffering a broken marriage. They are directed at arrogance ready to turn the law on others. None of us is above this vindictive temptation. Luther--drawing on St. Paul and St. Augustine--taught us to stand truthfully and humbly together, united in brokenness and lifted in mercy. Today's reading does not justify torpedoes directed against divorcees. Its words disarm any who may have forgotten their own imperfections. They help us stand together in vulnerability--as all who love are vulnerable. When Jesus blesses the children, there are no perfect children. There are only beloved and forgiven children.
God, free us from the condemnation of the law--whether we turn it on ourselves or each other. Amen.
Paul Rohde, '82
Campus Pastor, Augustana University, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"
4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her."
5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you.
6 But from the beginning of creation, "God made them male and female.'
7 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
10 Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.
11 He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;
12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.
14 But 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.
15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."
16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (New Revised Standard Version).
Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
***
No comments:
Post a Comment