Marriage - What It Is

His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry." But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it" (Matthew 19:10-12).

Evidently the Pharisees had left out of embarrassment and rage. No doubt they were more intent on getting rid of Jesus than before. He had side-stepped their trap and instead sprung their trap on them by showing Moses’ intent was the same as God’s intent in marriage. Their misinterpretation of Scripture and Mosaic Law condemned them, their teaching, and practice.

Because of the teaching of the Pharisees, divorce and remarriage was as rampant as it is today. What Jesus taught was a radical departure from the cultural norm, leaving the disciples confused. Their natural conclusion was that if sexual immorality was the only out in a bad marriage, it would be better not to marry to begin with.

We should focus on the principles of marriage rather than the issue of divorce. It is a lifetime commitment that can only be broken by death or by adultery. Even in the case of adultery, divorce is not the only option. Like everything else worthwhile in life, with thoughtfulness, compassion, prayer, determination, and a bucket of elbow grease, any marriage can be all that God intended it to be - joyful, fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding. (Proverbs 5:18-19) Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. (Proverbs 18:22) He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:14) Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Marriage is not just about romance, sex, fun times, and children. It’s about self-giving, self-sacrifice, and self-commitment to another person. It’s not about glitz, glamor and status. It’s about loving a person for who that person really is. It’s about the welding, blending, and knitting two lives together in rich, meaningful, mutually satisfying, and beneficial companionship. It’s about living for one’s mate, not expecting one’s mate to live for him/her. It’s about being humble before each other in love, and together humbling themselves before God in love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reads, Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

“Thank You, Lord, for the gift of love and the opportunity to share that love with another person. Thank You that marriage can be the most rewarding of human relationships and institutions. Forgive us for wrecking it with the convenience of divorce. Teach us to love our mate as You have loved us. To Your honor and glory I ask, Amen.” 

Pastor