Series: Simply Complex
Message: Complex Beliefs
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Daily Walk: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit.

Read: Matthew 5:21–48 (ESV). Reread in the English Standard Version for new insights or questions.

Reflect: Even though we have read the whole text again, I wanted to focus on verses 31 and 32 today. First, note that before Jesus approached the topic of divorce, he felt it necessary to address lust. He also felt that he should end by discussing oaths and the importance of keeping one’s word. Perhaps there is more of a thread throughout this sermon than we may have realized. Jesus was trying to heal all kinds of brokenness in the world 2,000 years ago. Our world is still broken—perhaps even more so—and we need this message now.

Marriage is complicated, not least because two random humans beings—often to the bewilderment of those around them—“fall in love” and choose to tie their lives together for eternity with bonds that are stronger than those tying blood relatives together. Why would two total strangers choose to do that? Why would they even think it would work? The institution of marriage, which I believe God established from creation as one of cornerstones of human society, has been chipped away at since the very beginning. It is no surprise that it is often more of a miss than a hit. It should be a success. Marriage, when established well, when cared for well, when developed well, only makes families and communities better and stronger.

Jesus saw the disintegration all around Him. This was caused in part by unresolved anger, by lust and distrust, by broken oaths. Jesus saw the way women were treated as a result of divorce and the pain it caused for families, children, and society as a whole. The various rabbinical schools in Jesus’ day had different criteria for allowing a man to obtain a divorce. Since only a man could offer the papers—although there were approved methods that women could use to get men to grant them a divorce—it was very one-sided. The grounds varied from “sexual immorality,” which might refer to a woman going outside with her hair unfas- tened through to burning dinner. If the tables were reversed and we were able to find wide-ranging reasons for women to divorce men, well, that would be too much fun. Jesus reiterates that marriage is for life, while acknowledging that are sometimes situations in which divorce is the only way (Matthew 19). Paul adds a few more reasons (1 Corinthians 7:15-16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Jesus redefines sexual immorality in a more serious way, all the time pushing us to look at the core motive driving our behavior. Appearance is not enough.

Recalibrate: How can your marriage or the marriage of a friend or family member become healthier?

Respond: Pray for the opportunity to serve others—and be prepared to say “yes” when it comes!

Research: Watch the sermon by Ivan Williams on Matthew 5:27–32.