Love Covers the Law

January 18, 2023

Matthew 5:27-32 | John 8:3-11

These are tough words from Jesus concerning marriage (both adultery and divorce are a break of the marriage covenant). There is no way around Jesus’ words and we really shouldn’t seek any way around them. That seems to be a larger point here concerning the law: when we try to find our way around aspects of the law, we’ve likely already missed it.

And yet: what to do about those situations that are past the boundaries of the law already? Here, too, love reigns. Jesus is clear that the law exists to keep from brokenness, but when brokenness has already occurred, the law should not be used to cement the break. Love covers the law.

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Matthew 5:27-32

“You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery. But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.

“It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

John 8:3-11

The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?” They said this to test him, because they wanted a reason to bring an accusation against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.

They continued to question him, so he stood up and replied, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” Bending down again, he wrote on the ground. Those who heard him went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left in the middle of the crowd.

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?”

She said, “No one, sir.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”

Prayer

God -

Divorce can be pretty terrible. I lament the effects of the break in relationship have upon people - the couple, the kids, the extended family. And yet, it seems clear that in many situations, the lasting effects without a divorce would be worse. Still yet…there is no situation beyond your grace. (…right?) Then yet again, everyone has to accept your grace for your healing to be at work.

This is pretty complicated. Help me to avoid the temptation to make simple the complicated, to assume your grace makes things easy to figure out. But help us all as we seek to live into your grace, even as we deal with the details.

So for the moment, I pray. I pray for any today who feel a desperation so deep that divorce is all they can imagine or that cheating is the only perceived exit. I pray for those in situations who feel beyond help and healing. I pray for husbands, wives, and children alike. I pray for wisdom, for safety, for restoration, for healing.

By your Spirit & in Christ, Amen.