As we wind up Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount concerning divorce, I need to point out that Jesus specializes in mending broken lives–and yes, even those fractured by divorce. Notice God’s attitude toward failure: He never asked how they got into trouble, He knows. He never leaves broken people where He finds them. He moves people from where they are to a higher level of living.
The Woman at the well. (John 4)
John 4: 13-18 (TNIV)
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
It is interesting that this woman recognized that Jesus was the Messiah:
John 4:25-26 (TNIV)
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
For those of you that are like me and for whatever reason have a divorce in their past, don’t dwell on the past but look to the future. Divorce is forgivable, but like any sin in our lives, it must not become habitual. I would add also that also like any sin in our lives…it leaves it’s mark on our lives, it’s pain.
For those of you who have some other sin and brokenness in their past, also, don’t dwell on it–God want’s you to move forward away from the sin and to look to Him….and the future.
Jesus simply told the woman caught in adultery that was about to be stoned for her sin:
John 8:11 (TNIV)
…… “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Some married couples live in emotional divorce and that also is not God’s plan. This occurs when they live together but do not share a love for each other. The cure for this is to live in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3. If you want to look deeper at this, write these two Scriptures down.
These two full chapters are so important and strong in the wisdom of our daily life. Let me share two short excerpts out of those chapters:
Ephesians 5:8-10 (TNIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.Colossians 3:12-15 (TNIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let thepeace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
