Jesus weighs in on the controversial subject of divorce. His opponents want him to land on one side or the other of an issue so his support can be divided. Jesus doesn’t appear to be intimidated and reminds them of God’s ideal for marriage. He also delivers counter-cultural messages by valuing children and not valuing wealth. As he tells his followers of his coming death, his disciples react by vying for prominence. How sad after all the time they have spent with Jesus, they still don’t understand.
Life does get complicated, but it’s important to point people back to God’s ideal. When achieving God’s ideal requires the cooperation of another person or undoing what can’t be undone, God’s ideal may not be achievable. Jesus makes it clear we don’t follow the norms of the culture but God’s desires.