WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT...?

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Divorce
Revenge
Violence
Wealth

Divorce

He was not a fan. Jewish religious law permitted husbands to divorce their wives, but no one imagined wives had similar rights.

Jesus strongly discouraged his followers from divorce, both to protect women from bored husbands and because he considered marriage to be a lifelong union and commitment. The words of the marriage service, "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder," are a quotation from Jesus on this subject (Mark 10:9).

Two of the Gospels (Mark and Matthew) record Jesus saying this, but Matthew also has Jesus mentioning an exception to the rule: adultery. Here are his words, which have been the subject of much debate: "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9).

Doubtless, Jesus would have allowed other exceptions, too, such as violence. But his basic point was that divorce was not a lifestyle option, but a failure and a tragedy.

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Revenge

Jesus pretty much ruled out revenge for his followers. The reason goes like this:

We are all sinners, we have all let down God, others and ourselves, and we need God to forgive and forget everything we have done wrong if we are to return to a proper relationship with him. This was central to Jesus's message.

But if we cry to God for mercy, have him wipe out the vast debt we owe him, what right have we then got to remember all that we are owed by others, and exact revenge for every petty grudge we bear them?

"If you do not forgive those who sin against you," Jesus said, "your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:15).

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Violence

Jesus seems to have been radically opposed to violence. His country was under military occupation and there were violent anti-Roman movements, but Jesus taught his followers to endure violence peacefully: "If someone hits you on the right cheek, offer them your left cheek" (Matthew 5:39).

But he went further than simply telling his followers to endure violence passively: he told them actively to repay evil with good: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

The focus of what Jesus said on this subject was on our personal dealings with others, so he never explicitly said that his followers must never, say, fight in a war. However, his own example on this point was to abjure the violent revolution that was expected to bring in God's kingdom, preparing instead the way of peace and self-sacrifice.

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Wealth

Lots. He didn't seem to think it was a terribly good thing – and in a society where wealth was generally seen as God's reward to his favourites, this was controversial. In a few nutshells...

1. God has a special interest in the poor. "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20).

2. Too much money does untold damage to the spiritual life. "No one can serve two masters. He will love one and hate the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24).

3. Those who have money have a duty to give to people in need. "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back" (Luke 6:30).

4. Following Jesus may sometimes require the deliberate renunciation of wealth. "You lack one thing. Sell what you have and distribute the money to the poor" (Mark 10:21).

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