Monday, May 12 – Matthew 19, John 11 – Additional Reading: The Desire of Ages, Chapter 58, “Lazarus, Come Forth”

1. Why did Moses permit a certificate of divorce? (Matthew 19:8)

2. What words did Jesus use to show affection for children? (Matthew 19:14)

3. How many days was Lazarus in the tomb when Jesus arrived? (John 11:39)

4. What did the priests and Pharisees intend to do to Jesus? (John 11:57)

Jesus is leaving Galilee for the last time. He is heading to the region of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan, historically known as Perea. During His final period of ministry in this area, the Pharisees confront Him with the issue of divorce, clearly seeking a reason to accuse Him.

Their question was: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” (Matthew 19:3)

Jesus referred the question back to God’s ideal revealed in creation. God’s plan and commandment is that marriage be for life. The expression “one flesh” is not just beautiful; it describes the divine design for intimacy in marriage. This intimacy includes, but is not limited to, physical union; it is also spiritual and emotional.

Jesus says with authority and clarity that breaking God’s plan through divorce leads to the sin of adultery. Remarrying after divorce is a sin and, therefore, something God disapproves of; it is outside His plan. The notable exception to this rule is when there is infidelity or sexual impurity.

The Pharisees then ask: “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” (Matthew 19:7)

This question goes to the heart of the controversy around divorce “for any reason.” The debate was whether a man could divorce his wife only for adultery or for any reason. They wanted to know how faithful Jesus would be to Moses’ teaching.

According to Jesus’ response, divorce occurs due to hard hearts on one or both sides. The ideal of marriage requires two to achieve; one alone cannot accomplish it. To maintain the ideal, tender hearts are essential.

Even today, hearts grow hard. Although marriage outside of the biblical reasons is a sin, that sin can be forgiven, and the sinner can still be restored.

This account exemplifies how, in His mercy, God is willing to work with us even when we have disrupted His plan and failed to achieve the ideal. Another instance is how He tolerated polygamy, slavery, and gender discrimination, elements also outside His plan. Even today, He continues to work with us when we frequently fall short of His ideal.

Someone once said, “God knows how to write straight with crooked lines.” In the process of redemption, He miraculously restores His ideal in our lives. However, following His plan is far better and saves much pain and heartbreak. Life already has enough sorrow for us and for those we love.

While in Perea, Jesus received word that His friend Lazarus was sick. By the time He arrived, it appeared too late from a human perspective. It is human to dwell on what could have been and to grieve what was not.
However, faith can teach us to trust and accept what is. Although it requires mental effort, even with faith in God, it remains challenging.

There is a note of reproach in the words of Martha and Mary: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Since they both say the same thing, they likely discussed it and were convinced of it. They felt that Jesus had disappointed them with His delay and absence. Yet, Jesus did not utter a rebuke; He understood the words spoken from deep sorrow.

What follows is one of the most moving scenes in the Bible. Mary’s deep weeping moved everyone around her, and “Jesus wept.” He didn’t weep for Lazarus; He knew Lazarus would rise again. He wept out of compassion for Martha, Mary, and those present. He wept for parents who lose children, for wives who lose husbands, for humanity, and for the pain caused by sin. He wept for you and me. He knows that victory and resurrection are coming, but even so, He wept for the pain we endured along the way.

Bringing Lazarus back to his sisters cost Jesus the hatred of the Sanhedrin. In their twisted minds, they justified evil through national and religious reasons. That’s how dark and warped sin can be.

Let’s face life with confidence and hope, for you have placed your faith in the One who is the resurrection and the life. While we walk here, He understands your pain and walks alongside you.