Jesus taught categorically and showed believers the mind of God concerning marriage. His teachings are unalterable and cannot be modified, changed or adjusted to modern times. Though some erroneous concepts about marriage had deluded the reasoning of many today, where men are allowed to try different women to know with whom they are comfortable until their marriages become impermanent contrary to God’s plan. However, the knowledge of the word of God rectifies, corrects and cleanses every past error in believers’ lives. Christ is willing to set believers free from the problems arising from marriage. He is the Light, Saviour and Redeemer who wants us to continue with His word.
Sadly, many churchgoers ignore His teaching concerning marriage, but toss it aside. They profess to believe in Christ, but they do not obey His words concerning Christian marriage. Rather, they remain adamant in what they wish to do. Anyone who wishes to live a life pleasing unto God must obey His words. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it,” (John 2:5).
Jesus’ mission on earth was to teach man the ways of holiness that leads to heaven. And it became His habit to teach anyone (few or many) who comes across him, so, “as he was wont, he taught them again” (Mark 10:1), though He had taught them before. Every believer should be committed to teaching God’s words to sinners every time. No teacher is as wise as Christ, who taught continually and the people were astonished at His wisdom. Whenever He taught, the people got the truth, knowledge and understanding that they have never known before. If Christ lives in a preacher and His words abide in his heart, he would teach the people knowledge. Like Christ, his teaching would be “set in order” (Ecclesiastes 12:9). However, Jesus “…(did) nothing of (himself); but as (his) Father hath taught (him)…,” (John 8:28). God was with Him and gave Him the wisdom to teach aright.
The Pharisees’ question, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?” as Moses had permitted, was to tempt Jesus (Mark 10:2). Christ, being the Word personified, “… answered …, For the hardness of your heart (Moses) wrote you this precept,” (Mark 10:5). The Pharisees’ marriages were perverted because their hearts were hardened. They kept a strong will not to do the will of God, which hardened their hearts, thus Moses gave them the law. Moses witnessed the rebellious nature of the Israelites during his lifetime, which became worse after his death. Thus Moses “(called) heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you…,” (Deuteronomy 31:28,29). After many centuries, the Jews were yet “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears” though they “received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it,” (Acts 7:51,53). Though the prophets, Jesus Christ, the apostles and many preachers preached to them, they still hardened their hearts and could not obey the word of God in this state. Jesus has come to take away believers’ hardness of heart and to remove permissive will from their hearts and make them obey the perfect will of God.
Many religious people follow their denominational doctrine, but the hardness of heart remains, so separation and divorce are rampant among such churchgoers as they do not know how to straighten their marriage. When there is a problem in any marriage, it is important to identify its origin; then the defaulter should confess, “…I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: that which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (Job 34:31, 32). Believers’ lives, families and marriages should be transformed when they hear the word of God.
• Further Reading (King James Version): Mark 10:1-12. Mark 10:1-5; Ecclesiastes 12:9; John 8:28,29; Job 34:31; Deuteronomy 31:27-29; Acts 7:51-53; Romans 2:5-9; John 12:40; Hebrews 3:7-11,15-19; Romans 2:3,4; Ezekiel 14:3-11; 36:25, 26.
