The Two Shall Be One Flesh

~~~ James 5:9-12 ~~~ Psalm 103 ~~~ Mark 10:1-12 ~~~

All things are passing...there is no time
to waste on petty things such as...

complaining and judging others.

Have perseverance like that of Job, never tire
 of returning to the Lord.

The Lord is kind and merciful.

God is more kind, compassionate, merciful, and just
than any one person is capable of being.
He does not hold grudges against us.
He looks to see how we are doing well.
He is waiting with words of encouragement when we fail.

Not sure what Jesus was teaching about the day the Pharisees
decided to bring up the whole issue of divorce.

Clearly it was just another attempt on their part to trip Jesus up.
They have tried several times before to get him
to openly contradict the existing laws;
today it is concerning whether
or not a man is allowed to divorce his wife.

Divorce then simply meant
the husband was tired of his wife or unhappy with her.
He simply signed a paper releasing her from her union with him.

They were both free to go about their merry ways.

But Jesus goes back to the beginning of creation.
He quotes the book of Genesis...
God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate.”

Marriage is the joining of a man and a woman;
becoming one flesh.
God has brought them together to live as one.

Divorce even today is a very touchy situation.
No one can say two people should never get a divorce,
but on the other hand should it be so easy to get divorced.

Adultery tied so closely to divorce seems very
 counter-cultural in society today.

Remaining in a marriage requires a great deal
 of selfless love on the part of each party.

The traditional marriage sums it up...
until death do us part...
in sickness and in health...
for richer or poor...
until death.
Be kind and merciful as the Lord;
you will be able to persevere in your marriage.
Blessed to receive daily the grace to
 gladly honor my wedding vows.

Peace.