Was doing a QT, thought I'd share my thoughts... (Mark 10)
Prelude
"In order to test him... 'Is it lawful...' "
Cynically speaking, "is it lawful" might be one of the most popular questions presented to Jesus. It's probably no coincidence that it's (in this case, and probably some others) usually with the goal "to test him." What are the ramifications of this question?
First, one of my personal favorite things about God is the fact that he is not a lawyer. We live in a lawful society, which is good. In general, for everything, there is a law, or many laws, that have been written and defined about the proper action for every situation. One of the grievances (among many) of living in a lawful society is the inevitable growth in the number and intricacy of the laws. This arises naturally, I believe, in no small part due to the ability and will of people to work around the existing laws, allowing them to obey the letter of the law, if not the spirit. Realizing this, Jesus has no desire to read/write/interpret/debate legal documents - rules will not humble the human heart, only love/grace can do that.
The question, "is it lawful," is a manifestation of our incredible lust to rebel. We challenge our creator/father/friend/lover. We abhor the idea of being a slave to God's laws, all the while not realizing that we are slaves to our perverted idea of 'freedom' from the law.
Divorce
Here, we see that indomitable and abominable spirit of human rebellion play out. "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" According to the traditions, that is the laws of Moses - yes, there are some instances where it is allowable. But that does not make it right/good/natural.
Today the divorce rate is incredibly high. In fact, it is prevalent enough that I have often wondered whether it would happen to me when I am married (statistically, it's probably a coin flip). I guess it's certainly allowable, at the very least in the legal sense, which is probably why our society has taken such liberties when exercising this right. However, God did not make man and woman to be one, just so they can separate into two again. "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."
To give a metaphor, perhaps God views divorce as we view abortion (at least the pro-choice position). Divorce is a most-unnatural and most-regretful course of action, and though God allows it, it pains God greatly when a husband and wife part ways. Most people know/feel this, deep in their hearts, even if our society has largely desensitized us to it already. Likewise, to kill an unborn child is, some would say, the most regretful of all actions. No one feels this more profoundly than the child's mother. Simply because it is allowed in some places on certain occasions does not mean society should not grieve terribly when even one such tragedy happens.
In the end, the Pharisees care only about the law. Is it right to divorce? Is abortion legal? Those who desire God's heart must be careful to seek the central, true intent of God's laws, rather than constantly trying to probe the extent/perimeter of the legal terminology.
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Are zygotes and human embryos sufficiently developed to be accurately considered as human beings? A zygote (which exists for the first four days of a pregnancy) is the initial cell formed when the sperm and egg unite. A human embryo cannot even survive outside the uterus.
ReplyDeleteHowever I do think it is unethical to abort a human fetus that is viable. I personally believe abortions should be completed before the fetal stage of development.
"Simply because it is allowed in some places on certain occasions does not mean society should not grieve terribly when even one such tragedy happens."
ReplyDeletefor some reason this statement strikes me. i think it's the grieving part.
it just seems like another level to me, to be able to see the world based on God's original intent/design. i'm often analyzing and responding to the world through the lens of human rights/law/ethics/etc.