God’s View of Marriage and Singleness

Sunday, 23 April 2023 by

Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 23 April 2023

God's View of Marriage and Singleness

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One of the statements I keep returning to in my mind and heart in Matthew is the statement of God as Jesus is revealed as truly divine: ‘This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!’ (Matthew 17:5). The realization of who Jesus truly is should drive His disciples’ to ‘listen to Him’ – to hear and obey. Too often we hear Jesus – then we argue with Jesus. We debate His words. We look for loopholes. We lament their ‘rigidity’ or their ‘uncompromising’ and ‘high’ nature. We listen – and then we argue, wriggle, lament, or moan. Yet, this is God-in-the-flesh. His words are true and good and wise and gentle and for the benefit of broken image-bearers-of-God. So, when the Pharisees come to trap Jesus in questions about marriage (and divorce), Jesus’ words are not to be debated, but first listened to, understood, then applied. This is the same man who knows sinners and the broken, sups with them, and offers them rest. His words are for their good!

Scripture References: Matthew 19:1-12, Psalms 16:1-11, Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:15-25

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