Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, District President of the Iowa East District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 19:1-15.

The Pharisees were testing Jesus to trip him up concerning divorce by misquoting the Bible. Divorce has affected all of us and the sin that has caused it leaves a trail of pain. Jesus brings them back to the beginning by showing that marriage is a gift from the LORD of a husband and wife. The life of the Christian is a life of repentance and forgiveness and the same applies to the married couple. The most important three words in a Christian marriage is not “I love you” but “I forgive you.” The married couple, those who have been divorced, the extended family, the single person all live in the hope not in our strength or perfection, but in the forgiveness won for us in Christ. “Lord God, keep us steadfast in Your Word. Thank you for the gift of marriage that reflects Your love for the church and uplifts us in body and soul. Bless all marriages to holiness, give healing to those affected by divorce, and grant us the gift of repentance that we may receive Your forgiveness and live holy lives by word and deed. In Christ, Amen”