Servants of the Servant King

Introduction

Jesus wasn’t just walking to Jerusalem. He was walking into confrontation. On the road, people challenged him—not with honest curiosity, but with traps and tests. This time, it was about divorce. The Pharisees wanted to know: Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all? A simple question on the surface. But underneath? A storm of politics, power, and broken promises.

Part 1: God’s Design, Not Man’s Convenience

Jesus didn’t answer with opinions. He answered with Scripture. He reached back to Genesis—God made them male and female, and the two became one. What God has joined, let no one separate. Marriage, in God’s eyes, was never meant to be temporary. Divorce wasn’t part of the original plan.

Part 2: The Culture of the Day

In the first century, divorce was brutal—especially for women. Men held the power. A woman could be cast out for almost any reason, often left with nothing. Jesus spoke directly into this injustice. He reminded them: Marriage isn’t a man’s contract. It’s God’s covenant.

Part 3: The Hardness of Heart

So why did Moses allow divorce? Jesus said it plainly—because of hard hearts. It wasn’t God’s desire, but a concession to human stubbornness. Even religious leaders—respected, rule-following men—were hard-hearted. And that’s who Jesus was really confronting.

Part 4: When Divorce Is Permitted

Jesus gave one clear exception—sexual immorality. Paul added another—when an unbelieving spouse walks away. In both cases, the unity is already broken. Reconciliation isn’t possible. Still, divorce is never required. It’s permitted, not promoted.

Takeaways