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Commitment is in jeopardy these days. Some even jokingly call it the C word, as if commitment were something too unpleasant to mention. After all, the demands and costs are too great. Today, convenience usually wins out over the sacrifice involved in being committed to someone or something.
The situation was no less confused in Jesus day. As he began to unveil a new way of life for his followers, critics appeared and challenged him about the difficulties of keeping the marriage commitment (Matt. 19: 3,7). Even his disciples shuddered as they perceived the costs of being faithful in marriage (19: 10). Later, they wanted to send away some bothersome children so they could be free to deal with more important things (19: 13).
The teaching about divorce comes on the heels of Jesus remarks about forgiveness without limits (18:21-35). What better way to lead into the topic of commitment? Jesus didnt ignore the problems and failures of human relationships. After all, these problems are just what make forgiveness--and commitment--so important.
The same lessons were reinforced in Jesus next encounter, with a rich man who wanted to be sure that he had eternal life (19: 16-30). The rich man proposed keeping the rules as the standard he should be judged by, but Jesus countered with an appeal for service (19:21). True riches demand a higher commitment--serving the Lord and others, and not the idol of material gain (19: 23).
Followers of Christ must be known for their commitment-- to marriage, to family, to community, to work, and above all to Christ. Such loyalty often means inconvenient obedience, but it is the way of Christ. How desperately this is needed, in a day when people make vows of expedience rather than commitment.
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