Divorce is the reality of many Christians. Unfortunately, this marital status carries a stigma. Many divorced Christians have experienced secret judgment and lack of understanding from those in the Body of Christ who have never experienced this devastating event. Instead of support and restoration, platitudes are offered, further injuring the wounded person.
In the wake of divorce many are overlooked, rejected, and treated as second class citizens. There is a similar story in Matthew 15:21-28. A woman came to Jesus on hands and knees begging for her daughter’s healing. Her pleas seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Initially, Christ ignored her request. Overlooked, she persisted. The disciples even complained she was a nuisance. Rejected, she continued. When Christ finally responded, He called her a dog.
“Dog” was an insult used regularly to describe people like this woman. When Jesus called her a dog, He was reflecting the attitude of the people of His day. He was not only testing the heart of the woman, He was also testing the heart of everyone in the room. When He ignored her cries for help, no one seemed to care. When He called her a dog, it seemed to validate the sentiment she was a second class citizen.
We can learn so much from the example of this woman. Instead of being offended, she persisted. She took the label and turned it into a living analogy of her status as an expectant beggar at Jesus’ feet. She knew what she wanted and had faith to know that Christ cared enough for her that He would heal her daughter. She did not let the offense and the opinions of others stand in her way.
Her response was extraordinary and challenged everyone in the room. Delighted in her, Jesus’ reply was, “Dear woman, your faith is great. Your request is granted.” With His answer, He demonstrated her true worth. She was not a second class citizen. In the eyes of God almighty she was someone special.
Christ went on to give her one of the greatest compliments of all time. She was dear to Him and He admired her faith. This is of great significance. Those are not words Christ said lightly. Throughout the gospel accounts we see numerous times how Jesus reprimanded the disciples for their lack of faith.
Jesus elevated this woman to place of honor in the presence of those who looked down upon her. He saw beyond societal labels and looked at her true worth. Similarly, Christ looks beyond our marital status. When we see ourselves through God's eyes we can finally understand that divorce does not make us second class citizens. Instead, we are loved and treasured beyond measure by the God of the universe.
“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10 NIV).
When going through something so traumatic, it does feel as if the world is shaken all around us. What was once secure is now unstable. But through it all God’s love for us is fully intact. Our marital status does not determine His love for us.
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