Mark 10:2-16 is a passage that many of us today would like to skip over, but if we read it carefully I think it offers a reflection on commitment, relationships, and the importance of a childlike openness to faith.

As Jesus addresses the Pharisees' question about divorce, his response transcends the legalistic trap they set and instead offers a deep teaching on the nature of commitment, particularly within the framework of marriage. In our modern context, this passage challenges us to examine our own cultural attitudes toward relationships, including the pervasive phenomenon of "ghosting."

Ghosting—a practice where someone suddenly cuts off all communication without explanation—has become increasingly common in both friendships and romantic relationships. This behavior highlights a broader cultural trend of avoiding difficult conversations and shirking the responsibility that comes with true commitment. In contrast, Jesus' words in Mark 10 remind us that commitment is not something to be taken lightly or discarded when it becomes inconvenient. Instead, it is a sacred bond that requires dedication, effort, and a willingness to engage even in uncomfortable situations.

When the Pharisees approached Jesus, asking whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife, Jesus pointed them back to the creation narrative, emphasizing that in marriage, two become one flesh. His response underscored the seriousness of the marital commitment, noting that what God has joined together, no one should separate. Jesus' reluctance to give an easy answer to the question of divorce stems from his deep awareness of the social realities of his time. In a patriarchal society where women had little to no status and were often left destitute without the protection of marriage, Jesus' teaching served as a safeguard for women. His response was not merely about adhering to the law, but about ensuring the well-being and dignity of those who were most vulnerable.

Jesus acknowledges the hardness of the human heart as the reason for the allowance of divorce in Mosaic law, but he never treats it as a casual solution. Instead, he highlights the divine intention for marriage to be a lifelong commitment, one that reflects God's unwavering faithfulness to humanity. In this, we see that Jesus is not merely concerned with legalities, but with the deeper relational truths that should guide human interactions. His teaching challenges us to consider how our own attitudes towards relationships reflect or distort this divine intention.

The passage then transitions to Jesus' interaction with children, offering a powerful metaphor for how we are to approach both our relationships and our faith. Children, in their innocence and trust, represent an openness to growth and learning that is essential for spiritual maturity. Jesus' insistence that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these serves as a reminder that our relationships—whether friendships, romantic partnerships, or familial bonds—should be approached with a similar openness and commitment to growth.

In the context of our time, this passage invites us to reconsider the values that shape our understanding of commitment. While traditional views on marriage emphasized the union of a man and a woman, our contemporary understanding of committed relationships extends beyond this framework to include same-sex couples. What remains constant, however, is the necessity of loyalty, fidelity, and a deep sense of responsibility toward one another. All relationships, regardless of their specific form, should be nurtured with care, respect, and a commitment to seeing them through, even when challenges arise.

Jesus’ teachings remind us that relationships are not disposable, and the ease with which one might consider ending a relationship today—whether through ghosting or divorce—should be tempered by a deep sense of the value and sacredness of human connection. We are called to be steadfast, to engage in difficult conversations, and to honor the commitments we make, recognizing that these commitments are not just about our personal desires, but about reflecting God’s enduring love and faithfulness.