10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
In a very real sense, our verses for today show the sheer humanity of Jesus’ guys. Macabre as it may sound - the thought process of their fallen flesh seems to bring some comfort to all who struggle with sin, self and the world as well. For some strange reason it is nice to know that we are in good company in regard to our fleshly battles. We are commanded in Scripture to be continually reeling in these fleshly desires that war against our souls – that battle against our best. This, of course, is for our own good and requires a constant vigilance on our parts as these fleshly desires never really go away. I think of the Apostle Paul’s words to us in 1 Corinthians regarding his approach to the battle of controlling self:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cor 9:24-27 (NIV)
“What is needed is not mere present professions, but perseverance to the end in the power of faith.” Ignatius of Antioch
Jesus had just finished answering the question posed Him from the Pharisees regarding divorce and the disciple’s appear to have difficulty in swallowing His reply. Corrupt nature is pure impatient with restraint is it not? It seems they too were reluctant to give up their liberty of divorce handed down from Moses due to the hardness of man’s heart. If the only acceptable way out of marriage was marital unfaithfulness, His guys spurt out, “it is better not to marry.” Funny, a good description for Christian marriage could be two big fat sinners - each wanting their own way - living under one roof – seeking to learn how to love each other with the love of Jesus through the power of the Spirit. Surprise - that may mean we don’t get our own way every time! Surprise - that may mean we must learn to die to self! Surprise - that may mean someone else’s needs could come before our own! This isn’t the stuff Hollywood movies are made of but instead it is the stuff the best marriages are made of.
It was obvious the Lord Jesus had affirmed the permanence of marriage by His reply because those who had heard His Words understood it in that way, hence their response. Not too dissimilar to our own time, it appears that marriage was viewed as disposable to these Israelites as well. When marriage seems to no longer be “working” for us, we want an easy out – one that is embraced by our spheres and our world as well. We don’t like to feel “bad” about ourselves. We tend to neglect the covenant we made before God. Remember anything worth having or worth its salt requires work, resolve and commitment. We are not to simply flee when things become difficult. Working through the difficulties with the common goal of sustaining the marriage and bringing God glory through it draws the married couple closer not further apart. God had established marriage for man’s good as well as His glory. He had intended for marriage to be a spiritual functional unity between husband and wife whereby they would walk together in integrity, serving God and keeping His commandments together. Society prospers under God’s Almighty Hand when this harmony is operative. We find in Genesis:
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Gen 2:18 (NIV)
Interestingly, in the above verse the word translated “good” is from the Hebrew word “Tob” meaning: “Good, pleasant, beautiful, excellent, lovely, delightful, joyful, fruitful, precious, cheerful, kind, correct, righteous; that which is good, right; virtue; happiness, pleasantness; used in the context of seeking for the ultimate purpose in life.” Hebrew–Greek Key Word Study Bible – Old Testament Lexical Aids. I don’t know of any married person who wouldn’t like those words to describe their marriage yet it takes work – it does not merely happen. This is why Jesus ended His statement with: “The one who can accept this should accept it.” Meaning, if you hear (understand) this, act on it.
“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.” Francis of Assisi