Much has been written, discussed, and presented in Christian churches on the "how to" of marriage, with the goal of establishing, preserving and improving marriages. But what is the big deal? Why value marriage? Is there sanctity in marriage? Let's take a closer look.
WHAT IS MARRIAGE FOR?
When people think of marriage, they likely think of a wedding or two people who become a family. Today, however, people wonder if marriage is worth it, or if it is just an outdated formality. And more so, people wonder why - and reject - that marriage is limited to a man and woman, or even limited to only two people.
We are people of the Book. We believe that God has revealed Himself and his will, providing all that is necessary for salvation. Throughout these pages of Scripture, we see marriage woven as a unifying thread. This thread begins before sin entered the world; Genesis relates that no helper was found "suitable for" or "corresponding to" Adam, so God formed Eve. In this context we read the establishment of marriage: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Gen. 2.20 ESV)
Many millennia later, Jesus cites this passage from Genesis when dialoging with the Pharisees regarding divorce, (Mat. 19.5) providing further support for the importance of the sanctity of marriage.
In his letter to the Ephesians (5:22-33), Paul teaches about the marriage relationship: wives, be "subject" or "submit" to your husband. Husbands, "love" your wife. Much has been written and argued over these verses; that discussion is for another time. For our current topic, note that the marriage relationship, wives and husbands, is representative of the union of the church and Christ. And Paul anchors this in Genesis 2!
Finally, at the "end of the story", in Revelation (19.6-9), John receives a glimpse of this union of the church and Christ.
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 …
Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
WHY IS MARRIAGE
You can't tell what to do with something until you know what something is for. - T.S. Elliot
The word "sanctity" in English means "the quality or state of being holy or sacred; inviolability" (Merriam-Webster).
God wove marriage throughout the pages of Scripture, from before the curse until after the consummation of His kingdom. He uses the image of marriage, the covenant relationship of husband and wife, to illustrate to us the intimate care of Christ for us, the church, and His covenant commitment to us. "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine." (Song. 6:3)
When we damage the marriage relationship, we mar a primary human relationship God used to illustrate His love for us.
As the world around us questions, redefines, or destroys marriage as God revealed it in Scripture, may we remember that the world is ultimately attacking God, seeking to destroy what He created to be good, true, and beautiful.
I acknowledge that marriage is hard. We live in this fallen world, and both husbands and wives are sinful. At the same time, in our Christian marriages, and only by the grace He provides, we husbands and wives seek to understand and demonstrate this covenant relationship to one another and to the world around us.
This is the big deal. Yes, there is sanctity in marriage!
RESOURCES
There are many how-to resources on marriage. These are good books on understanding marriage itself.
In Love: The Larger Story of Sex and Marriage
by Ryan Messmore
www.amazon.com/gp/product/
What Is Marriage?: Man and Woman: A Defense
by Sherif Girgis, Ryan T Anderson, Robert P George
www.amazon.com/gp/product/
This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence
by John Piper
