MARK 10:1-16 THE FAMILY IN GOD'S EYES Leaving Galilee for the last time before His death, on His way to Jerusalem the Lord was confronted with a social problem that affects us today. He answers the question by taking the subject of divorce from being only a legal concern according to the laws of men, back to the beginning. The family is in God's eyes a spiritual issue, not just people who happened to come together. There is a fundamental unity in humanity called marriage. The Lord Jesus took the scheming Pharisees back beyond the law, to the origin of marriage when God gave Eve to Adam to constitute a "whole" when they became "one." Marriage is not a unit comprised of two parts. It is a unity in which two become one. So, there is a "duality." When "God made man in His own image," He created them male and female. In order for there to be divine likeness, there had to be a oneness of this dual personality - marriage. The institution of marriage cannot be defined by the Supreme Court or a legislative body. It is defined by God who has all the qualities He expects to be seen in the unity of a marriage of a man and woman.
In order for a family to properly represent God there needs to be the commitment to the institution of marriage even before the commitment to another person. The fundamental unity of a family begins when two become one. Divorce happens as a result of human sinfulness. Marriage between a man and a woman is always to be considered permanent. Sadly, divorce happens. Marriage is an expression of God that typifies the love of Christ and the Church. "Any cause" divorce was not accepted as a reason for that separation. The adulterating of seed was indicated as an exception to the permanence of the marriage union. In order for a family to function right, the unity of two who become one is essential for the normal life of children to be maintained. Womanhood was raised from being almost that of property ownership, to equality in the context of Jesus' teaching. Two equal persons, each with their own unique features, become one and into that dual unity come others born with features of both parents.
As the disciples were questioning the Lord further about this matter, children were being brought to Jesus. These same disciples still hadn't learned the true value of a human, until the Lord indignantly rebuked them and gave the true value of personhood in a few words. He was not teaching that children were perfect but that every one has great potential and are teachable. They were not hardened into a social mold. For a couple to divorce for any cause is unthinkable because of the effect it has on the children. They look at the parental model and take the form of the example of the parents. To hinder a child from being what God intends because of the self-interest of parents is a cause for divine indignation and outright anger from God.
We may deceive ourselves into thinking our children turned away from God in spite of what we taught them. And this may be partially true. The modeling of family life by husband and wife cannot be overlooked as the ordained way God uses to visibly show His love to the children. Let the children see what God is like in our marriage. They may not understand all the teaching of the Gospel but will decide whether they want to come to the Lord or not by what they see in the marriage of their parents. When parents are united in one in love and purpose with commitment to the permanence of marriage, and when children see this expression of love and acceptance, then the family is fulfilling its purpose.
I know Father God, I have not always been The proper embodiment of fatherhood when In impatience and busy-ness and self-will, The children were waiting for me until Later than I should have, I finally did appear, And sought to impress them that to me they were dear - But alas, I think they felt less than important Because of my neglect or ways of deportment.
I am glad Father God, that Thou didst save them by Thy grace. And it is evident to me that in their lives, faith has a place. For they do have a desire to serve Thee and make Thy name known, And to their own children the way to God they have shown, Give them wisdom and grace, Father, and fill them with faith So, they will seriously want to do what the scriptures of truth saith. Their own families behind them may teach their own children - The way to God for themselves and that generations coming will love Him.
I am vaguely content, Father God, that in some small way I have tried with my wife to show them something each day, That would recommend to them this wonderful and gracious fact; It is God's will for each generation to, in child-like faith act To meet Thy expectations and fulfill life's main goal - The salvation and spiritual growth of each individual soul. And then as a fundamental unity and a family of faith We will be able to honor God wherever the path of life we all trace.
"I thank Thee, Father, for my family. May we all share in unity as we meet together in days to come. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."