The Marriage Covenant and Its Enemies

Matthew 5:31-32 - In His third case study, Jesus naturally turns from adultery and lust to marriage and divorce. Jesus's short statement highlights and answers one of the chief debates of His day: who or what is a marriage for? And how is it most wounded? In this passage we find Jesus's kingdom once again to be a place that champions the sanctity of marriage, in general, and the dignity of women, in particular. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 7 of our series "Jesus's Sermon on the Mount: The Good Life in the Kingdom of Grace"] Questions for reflection: 1) What experience do you have with divorce in your own family or friendships? 2) Recap the debate in Jesus's day about the grounds for divorce according to the law of Moses? 3) What do you think marriage is popularly thought to be "for" in our culture? 4) What does Jesus's teaching here indicate about how He sees the purpose of marriage? 5) How do we not trivialize the deep importance of our marriage commitments when acknowledging the grounds for divorce that the New Testament gives? 6) If you're married, how have you worked to cultivate health in your own marriage? If you're single, how have you worked to cultivate health in your own singleness?