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One
For the past few days, we've been coursing through this passage in Matthew's gospel. The value in these verses is that we have Jesus, the Son of God Himself, speaking definitively on the subject of marriage. If we ever wanted the Lord's perspective on this thing called marriage, we literally have it right in front of us.
So it's with that understanding that we recognize Jesus makes a rather astounding statement about the marriage bond. He describes the act of a husband and wife being joined together as them becoming "one flesh."
Obviously, there's a physical aspect to this as their bodies are joined together. But there's much more to Christ's statement than just that. In the original Greek, this expression carries the connotation of two things being glued together. Jesus is describing a bond that extends beyond the physical. It's like two souls being glued to one another in a way that's inseparable. In a very amazing way, when a man and woman are wedded, God sees them as becoming a part of one other.
Now take note of something at this point, no other earthly relationship is described in such terms. Only in marriage (and in Christ) do we become "one" with another person. God declares the marriage relationship as transcending all others in this life. That includes our relationships with our co-workers, our employers, our best friends, our confidants, our parents, and even our own children.
It's God's will that no other relationship transcends the marriage relationship. Nothing is to come between a husband and wife's bond with one another. If it does-if someone or something works or worms its way in between their hearts-it's a violation of God's will.
The opportunities for this happening abound, which is why there's an urgent need for husbands and wives to view their marriage as the Lord does-as something that glues their souls together and makes them one.
He describes the act of a husband and wife being joined together as them becoming "one flesh."
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
For the past few days, we've been coursing through this passage in Matthew's gospel. The value in these verses is that we have Jesus, the Son of God Himself, speaking definitively on the subject of marriage. If we ever wanted the Lord's perspective on this thing called marriage, we literally have it right in front of us.
So it's with that understanding that we recognize Jesus makes a rather astounding statement about the marriage bond. He describes the act of a husband and wife being joined together as them becoming "one flesh."
Obviously, there's a physical aspect to this as their bodies are joined together. But there's much more to Christ's statement than just that. In the original Greek, this expression carries the connotation of two things being glued together. Jesus is describing a bond that extends beyond the physical. It's like two souls being glued to one another in a way that's inseparable. In a very amazing way, when a man and woman are wedded, God sees them as becoming a part of one other.
Now take note of something at this point, no other earthly relationship is described in such terms. Only in marriage (and in Christ) do we become "one" with another person. God declares the marriage relationship as transcending all others in this life. That includes our relationships with our co-workers, our employers, our best friends, our confidants, our parents, and even our own children.
It's God's will that no other relationship transcends the marriage relationship. Nothing is to come between a husband and wife's bond with one another. If it does-if someone or something works or worms its way in between their hearts-it's a violation of God's will.
The opportunities for this happening abound, which is why there's an urgent need for husbands and wives to view their marriage as the Lord does-as something that glues their souls together and makes them one.
He describes the act of a husband and wife being joined together as them becoming "one flesh."
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
Scripture
About this Plan
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1985, has grown to be one of the largest churches in the country, and now has nine regional campuses in Florida in addition to the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. The church has established and now operates dozens of ministries to answer the needs for foster care, addiction recovery, and discipleship training. The church's mission is simply, "make disciples."
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We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale for providing this daily devotional. For more information about the church and other media resources it provides for personal discipleship, please visit www.calvaryftl.org
