Good Morning Friends,
Interesting how the nature of love, marriage and family have been formed in Holy History and subverted culturally by people to something less than was ideally envisioned by God. It has been said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Fear though is probably a third. I think that a lot of people fear to walk through life alone. Many of us have wonderful spouses but if they die the question is whom we will choose to wait for then. Some will choose new earthly mates but that too comes to an end. Eventually the selection is between God and the grave. The beauty is that if we choose God, we also choose each other. If we choose the grave, we put up a wall to separate us from others. Do You Understand The True Spiritual Purpose Of Marriage?
Scripture: Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV)
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Genesis 2:18-24 (NRSV)
but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
Hebrew 2:9-11 (NRSV)
A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NRSV)
Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the Lord. Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:1-10 (NRSV)
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder peals, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 19:6-8 (NRSV)
Message: Countless people who are not Pharisees have asked similar questions about marriage and family raised in today’s Gospel reading and surely countless more will seek answers to related questions. The topic has been a battlefield for contending views and interpretations and their applications. What becomes instructive for us in the Gospel story is Jesus’ handling of the subject. Our nature is to come to the words seeking support for a position previously reached when a better approach, the approach Jesus takes, is to address the topic not from a legalistic point of view but raising it up to the level of greater spiritual and religious principles. When we do, these three things emerge as guidance. First there is a spiritual purpose God has for marriage and the relationships in it. Secondly, there is a permanence and sanctity of marriage. And third the principle of judgment in relationships is to be set above regulations. In other words, human and spiritual values are to be set above specific regulations so that man made traditions do not inflict cruelty and injustice on others. Remember that Jesus fought against crowding the spiritual into a legalism. Remember that institutions were made for us not us for institutions. Realize that Jesus continually fought with insight, sympathy, and imagination to rebuke the neglect and exploitation of the disenfranchised but always had the greater purpose at the heart of his actions in a way that reflects the Holy purpose of marriage as it relates to our worship and work. You see, the idea of marriage is really founded on God’s idea of how relationships thrive and the importance of relationships having spiritual hearts founded in a relationship with God. It is perhaps no big revelation to you but our relationships with each other, if they are to thrive, are to be dedicated to God’s purposes for us.
And So, the woman described in Proverbs is most certainly the woman that every man would want to marry. And she is the wife most women aspire to be. She is confident and trustworthy. She is a hard worker and compassionate. She works hard in the home and in public. How can one person possibly live up to the standards of this noble wife described in Holy Scripture? But this passage is not talking about one individual, nor is it talking about an earthly wife. But perhaps this passage speaks of more than strong traits of an outstanding wife but gives to us a message for the church…the bride of Christ. And also, a better way to approach and prepare for life. You see marriage is the perfect metaphor to explain the closeness of the relationship God has desired with His people. Sadly, when sin entered the world, it caused a separation in the marriage. Today’s Isaiah passage describes the rocky relationship between God and man who has acted as an unfaithful wife who was abandoned by her husband. But because of His great love, God promises to redeem and take her back. Because of God’s great love for His people, He does what it takes for the unfaithful creation to be reconciled unto Him. It is the image of a marriage but also the image of the rebuilding of a city we are to look forward to in anticipation. Man’s own sinfulness makes us unfit to be God’s bride. But because of His deep love, God provides another way. Through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven and we can become pure once more. Christ’s death is about God’s preparation of a bride and groom. God was willing to pay the ultimate price, the death of His only begotten son, to make this marriage happen and His own joy made complete. God’s plan is to end the separation caused by sin by preparing a wedding feast for Jesus, the groom, and His bride, which the church. This event is revealed to John in Revelation. And so, we are to work collectively as the called-out assembly for there is work to be done in the community. We are to prepare for every detail of the wedding day, dressed in the right actions and faithful in the wisdom of daily life that anticipates something wonderful coming to earth as in heaven. We are to be born from above into the family of God.
Pray that God will rejoice over us as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Pray we give our hearts fully to God and devote ourselves to becoming the helpmate God desires for us to be. Pray we unite and work hard for the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. Pray we are prepared for His return. Pray we seek the Kingdom of God. Pray we are as brothers and sisters to Christ in unity with the family of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 