Applying Jesus' Mercy Command in Matthew 9:12 to Marriage
Applying Jesus' Mercy Command in Matthew 9:12 to Marriage
Jesus' statement in Matthew 9:12, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick," emphasizes the importance of showing mercy to those in need. When considering how to apply this principle to marriage, it's essential to understand the biblical context of marriage and divorce.
The biblical account of marriage begins in Genesis 2:18-24, where it is instituted as a union between one man and one woman [3]. Jesus reaffirms this in Matthew 19:4-5, emphasizing the unity and permanence of marriage [2]. The biblical ideal is monogamy, and divorce is only permitted in cases of sexual immorality [4].
In the context of marriage, showing mercy as Jesus commands might involve supporting a spouse through difficulties or challenges. For example, in Ephesians 5:25, husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, demonstrating a selfless and sacrificial love [7]. This kind of love is essential in maintaining a healthy and merciful marriage.
When considering divorce, Jesus' teachings in Matthew 19:9 and 5:32 provide guidance. Divorce is permissible in cases of sexual immorality, but it is not required [4, 6]. In such situations, showing mercy might mean choosing to forgive and work towards reconciliation, if possible.
The biblical principle of mercy in marriage is not limited to the relationship between spouses. It also involves how the community responds to those who are divorced or struggling in their marriages. The early Christian community faced challenges related to marriage and divorce, particularly when one spouse converted to Christianity and the other did not [5].
In applying Jesus' mercy command to marriage, it's clear that mercy involves both the personal relationships within a marriage and the community's response to those affected by divorce or marital difficulties. By understanding the biblical context of marriage and divorce, individuals can better navigate the complexities of applying Jesus' teachings on mercy in their own lives and communities [1, 3].
The biblical account of marriage as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people also highlights the importance of faithfulness and mercy in marriage [8]. As the Church is called to be faithful to Christ, spouses are called to be faithful to one another, demonstrating a commitment to the biblical ideals of marriage.
Sources
- Matthew “Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’ -- Matthew 22:9”
- Matthew “I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” -- Matthew 19:9”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Marriage — Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matt. 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Gen. 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Gen. 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosa”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 19:9: 19:9 Jesus permits only one legitimate reason for a man to divorce: if his wife has been unfaithful (see 5:32). In the face of those who thought divorce could be taken lightly, Jesus affirms God’s created order: Marriage was designed to be permanent (see Mark 10:11-12). • commits adultery: This speaks only of the man who divorces his wife unlawfully. In such a case, his remarriage is adulterous. Jesus’ motivation is to reestablish the permanency of marriage.”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7:10: In this paragraph the apostle gives them direction in a case which must be very frequent in that age of the world, especially among the Jewish converts; I mean whether they were to live with heathen relatives in a married state. Moses's law permitted divorce; and there was a famous instance in the Jewish state, when the people were obliged to put away their idolatrous wives, Ezr 10:3. This might move a scruple in many minds, whether converts to Christianity were not bound to put away or desert their mates, continuing infidels. Concerning this matter the apo”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:32: 5:32 The exception clause permits but does not demand divorce when one partner has been unfaithful (see also 19:9). Notably, Jesus does not demand death for the guilty party (see Deut 22:21-22). • The implication seems to be that by divorcing his wife for illegitimate reasons, the man causes her to commit adultery by wrongly putting her in a situation where she remarries and so breaks the law. • anyone who marries a divorced woman: It is not clear whether Jesus is referring to any woman who is divorced, regardless of the reason, or only to a woman who is divorced”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:25: "Thou hast seen the measure of obedience; now hear also the measure of love. Do you wish your wife to obey you, as the Church is to obey Christ? Then have a solicitude for her as Christ had for the Church (Eph 5:23, "Himself the Saviour of the body"); and "if it be necessary to give thy life for her, or to be cut in ten thousand pieces, or to endure any other suffering whatever, do not refuse it; and if you suffer thus, not even so do you do what Christ has done; for you indeed do so being already united to her, but He did so for one that treated Hi”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”