Male privilege in patriarchy allowed men to divorce women without grounds. She could simply be dismissed. Women were at a deep disadvantage in that society, economically and socially. Though they contributed significantly to the household, they were considered subordinate to men. Subservient. Vulnerable. Weak. Disposable. Jesus' prohibition of divorce does two things: First it places marriage within the context of the divine covenant. It is part of God's grace/love act, placing men and women in relationships. Therefore, men and women are accountable to God and each other for their marriage. A marriage is meant to reflect God's love, God's blessing, God's fruitfulness.
Second, Jesus' prohibition protects women from neglect and abuse. Because faithful men were supposed to avoid sin. Jesus' rule on divorce was more or less a slap in the face of patriarchy. Jesus sees women as precious bearers of God's image, not as instruments of male domination or satisfaction. Divorce is prohibited on the grounds that God joins people together, because God is love. No love, no marriage. Jesus would have been a good husband. A Christian community protects marriage and protects those who are vulnerable in relationships.
Then Jesus welcomes children and blesses them. He elevates their status, too. Children are meant to be seen and heard, loved and nurtured. Children possess an innocence, awe and wonder, a healthy respect for things that are bigger than they are, courage to try new things, imagination and a mind eager to learn. They are all qualities of someone who will "enter the Kingdom of God". This is not a literal term, as in to go into a place. It means to be open to the presence of God in our lives. It means to trust God and move forward in that trust. Children are less inhibited, less prejudicial, less judgmental, and more inclusive. They are not burdens or problems. They are divine blessings. Jesus would have been a good father. A Christian community looks to its children for guidance and inspiration. A Christian community looks to protect them, to nurture and teach them.
Jesus saw wealth as a potential hazard or obstacle to one's relationship with God. Possessions can possess our hearts and souls in ways that prevent us from obeying God with our lives.
Discipleship is surrender, relinquishing a sense of control and security we feel that money gives us. Money does not guarantee a better life, a good life, a memorable and meaningful life. But a relationship with Jesus can bring these things. Along with hardship. No life is perfect. But to be fully alive does not require wealth. Jesus calls for a simple life, unencumbered by stuff. A Christian community is generous and care free with its material possessions. A Christian community is non-competitive. The first will be last and the last will be first. Because the kingdom of God values equality and justice.
Jesus' mission is to die in Jerusalem. The church's mission is to go with him, to die with him. We do this when we act as servants of the world. When we are more concerned about the welfare of the poor, the women, and the children than we are about ourselves then we are the church. Acts of selfless generosity set the Christian community apart. Many people appreciate the church in service to the world. Many people want to be part of that kind of a community, making the world better by serving vulnerable people. We can do this personally and informally. But we can also organize to do this on a bigger scale. Our church is most effective at fighting hunger, both locally and globally.
Jesus restores sight to the blind. Those who want to see the truth, the way, the light are given that opportunity with Jesus. There are people who think they see, but they are really blinded by prejudice, patriarchy, power, or privilege. Jesus says that faith gives us sight. Women, children, the poor, the servants (slaves), the ones who suffer---these are the ones closest to Jesus and, therefore, closest to God. If we want to know God, we need to know the way of suffering in the world. Those who are comfortably in charge cannot see God. We do not see God from above, from an exalted place, but from below, from a place of humility. This is, ultimately the invitation and challenge of discipleship. How low are we willing to go to see Jesus? To the prisoner? The homeless man? The hungry child? The single mom on food stamps? The disabled senior living in the broken down trailer? If we're too busy tending to ourselves to see them, we could lose sight of the king and the kingdom we've been invited to serve.
Notice the many Kairos moments in this chapter. From beginning to end. Pharisees. Children. A rich man. James and John. A blind man. These encounters with Jesus happen today, if we recognize them. They happen in our marriages. With our children. Among leaders and neighbors. With the suffering, the disabled, and the vulnerable. And when we are self-absorbed and self-focused we might miss the moment. Faith is awareness. Be aware this week.
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