Such Thing as a Bad Question

3Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Matthew 19:3)

Thoughts: Questions can be sincere in an effort to get an answer that can be helpful.  But there are particularly religious questions that are meant to stop conversation or put someone down. There are such things as bad questions, and this is one of them.  Yet, God can even turn a bad question into an opportunity for teaching- which Jesus does here. The Pharisees were continually asking Jesus trick questions.  This was a particularly touchy one.  Moses allowed for divorce, but it was out of hand (as it is in our day).  The Pharisees were asking, "for any and every reason" as an exaggerated rationale.  Divorce is very personal, and it could easily be a reason why some would reject Jesus and his teaching.  Even today, many leave the church over this issue.  Some leave because one church's teaching is too strict, and others because it is too loose.  So this, perhaps, was the perfect trap for Jesus.  Jesus did not care about traps.  He cares about people and their hearts.  Sometimes we can find excuses to quit following Jesus too.  It may be about sexuality or ethics.  In the end, we will stand before God and all our excuses will melt away.  

Prayer: Lord, keep me from giving up on you.  Help me to be able to find peace and patience in the midst of my questions.