What was the original meaning of marriage? And what was Jesus’ teaching on the, subject of divorce?In Matthew 19 we read that Jesus is heading from Galilee and traveling towards Jerusalem. As He went, He continued performing miracles and healing people.  But the dreaded Pharisees were relentless in their efforts to trap Him so they could have him arrested.  Verse 3 “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away (divorce) his wife for every cause?”  There were two major Jewish groups divided on the, subject of divorce and the Pharisees chose a topic that would serve to divide them even further.  Instead of picking sides, Jesus called their attention to the original meaning of marriage and pulled from an authority both groups acknowledged – the prophet, Moses. Jesus responds in Verses 4 through 6 “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”  Jesus refers back to Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:2-22.  We have no record of God performing any sort of marriage in the Garden.  There was no need because from the beginning Adam and Eve were one.  Jesus’s point to the Pharisees is that – when a couple come together, they come together in the model of Adam and Eve through marriage and – they become one in the same manner Adam and Eve were one.  When a man and woman come together in marriage, which is the sexual union of two bodies becoming one – they are like Adam and Eve – and nothing can break the union. 

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As you will see the Pharisees are trying to pit the Master against the great lawgiver – Moses.  Verse 7 “They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?”  In other words, if a man and woman are truly one in marriage then why did Moses – who you are quoting – allow for divorces?  If Moses gave approval for divorce – which we read about in Deuteronomy 24:1 – then certainly divorce couldn’t be wrong or contrary to God.  Verse 8 “Jesus saith unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.”   Jesus admits that Moses allowed for divorce, but He contends that this was not the original design of man/woman relationships.  God intended that marriage should be between one man and one woman and once consummated – that was it.  Then, He boldly says, Verse 9 “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”   He is setting the record straight.  But remember, Jesus is speaking of how it was from the beginning.   Marriage replicates this unity when a man and woman come together, and nothing can tear that oneness apart EXCEPT one or both of them becoming one with – another person.  Jesus is teaching how it was from the beginning.  And if the couple – who choose to become one – try and break up the marriage for any reason other than fornication – they are committing adultery.  If any of you in the audience are in this situation be grateful Jesus came to forgive sinners.  And if you’re really sensitive about the label – remember Jesus also said that if a man merely looks upon a woman with lust in his, heart he is guilty of the same.  So, while we do all we can to save marriages, we move on – if we are found guilty – we praise God for His forgiveness and grace. So hard was this teaching that His own disciples responded in Verse 10 “His disciples say unto him, If the