Week 7 (13 Feb) Day 4

Matthew 5.31-32

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

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Personal Reflections Jesus deals pointedly with our right relationship with our spouse. As disciples of Christ, it is no longer about how to formalise the way we divorce (as in Dt 24.1). Rather, the original intent – for life – of marriage is now emphasised. In a world where lifelong marriage is no longer held in high regard and extra-marital affairs are no longer disdained; all the more as disciples of Christ, we need to safeguard such an institution and to model right conduct in a fallen world.

This means protecting and nurturing our marriage for the long haul so that we will reap the full joy and blessings of this special relationship. For those who are married, what are you doing about your marriage? Are you rejoicing in the blessings that result from your marriage? Are you humbly seeking help when help is needed? (For those who are not married, think of your close friends and loved ones and pray for their marriages – that God will protect and nourish them.)