So, what does Jesus have to say on the topic of family values? Everyone recognizes this as a loaded question, a political question, the kind that gets asked to trip up a person and obscure real answers. They try to trap him by asking, “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?” His response surprises and disturbs, revealing him to be less interested in what is “morally right” and more interested in the woman’s dilemma.*
The law says a simple letter of divorce can send her away, but Jesus says not so fast. A woman is not a piece of property. She cannot be owned, nor sent away. Besides, husband and wife are like one person. How to send away a part of yourself?
Parents bring their children to Jesus for him to bless, and his disciples rush to protect him. Do you not know that this is a great teacher, not someone to be climbed all over and sat upon? But Jesus says, ‘Let them come. Do not stop them. Their playfulness is what the Kingdom of God looks like.’
Jesus refuses to defend normal family values, the limitations of the status quo. Instead, he shows his true values to be protecting the vulnerable and standing in solidarity with the defenseless. People rank higher than rules.
–Kayla McClurg, Passage by Passage (Year B)
- What “family values” did you learn growing up?
- How do they compare with what Jesus values?
- Do I need to reconsider what is of true moral value?
