Marriage

Prayer:

Father, help us to have a healthy relationship with you at all times.

If you've been following the reading planner you'll recently have read about God creating the first man, Adam. And how Adam was lonely so God create the first woman, Eve, out of one of his ribs. You'll also have read about Eve's temptations and how they both ate from the tree that God told them not to. But while they argued and blamed each other, they stuck together.

Marriage is a partnership, and like all partnerships it requires a bit of work and cooperation from both sides. Sometimes things don't go smoothly (more often than not!) Life is often full of problems.

Marriage is also a serious consideration; it is for life. The wedding vows follow along the lines of "as long as you both shall live". Breaking vows is a serious issue in the eyes of God, so much so that it even included in the laws given to Moses (Numbers 30:2)

One reading that tends to get read quite a lot at weddings is that found in 1 Corinthians 13; the chapter about love (or charity, in the KJV). This holds a lot of qualities that could apply to our everyday lives with those around us. But it is not talking just about marriage, but about love in general and Christ's love in particular. Verse 10 says this "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away". We are still waiting for that which is perfect to come, namely Christ.

Like many things laid down in scripture marriage is also symbolic. It shows and demonstrates just what relationships should be like. Ephesians 5:31-33 has these words

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."

These verses show us how we should behave in this sort of relationship. It also demonstrates the relationship between Jesus Christ and us (his church). This sort of relationship goes two ways. Note the required action is not identical, but they are complimentary. We have love from the husband to the wife, and we have reverence between the wife and her husband. This also describes our relationship with Christ. His love was so great that he died for us. We probably can't return that amount of love, so in return he asks that we revere him. We should give him deference and our devotion. It's the same with marriage. If each partner tries to be identical it won't be long until they get in each other's way. Partnerships are about strengths and weaknesses, and how to achieve the best possible outcome given them.

So what does this mean to us?

That we should keep our vows, for life, because Jesus Christ made vows which he will keep forever.
That we should give honour and glory unto Him who is our master and overseer.
That we should work together, to have the same goals and ideals

"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

Rev 19:9