Thorburn-Sutherland's River Pastoral Charge

Source of all wisdom, in the midst of all our distractions, focus our attention on you. In the midst of competing voices, attune our ears to your Word, for we seek bread for our journey through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.  Amen.

Gospel Reading:  

I know they don’t like a lot of attention brought to them, but I hope they will indulge me today as the wonderful wedding of Sue and Joe which was held in our church a few weeks ago got me thinking about marriage and that perhaps it would be good to see how the Bible looks upon it. For me, Sue and Joe’s marriage was everything that a wedding should be, it was a demonstration to their friends and family of the deep love and affection they have for each other. And more importantly, they confirmed their life-long commitment to each other in the presence of the Lord.

With that being said, let’s see what the Bible has to say about marriage.

The institution of marriage is so important to God that he introduces it in the first book of the Bible, being Genesis, and in the opening chapter, just after he created the world and placed Adam and Eve on it. The oldest institution in the world is not the church, it is not even the state, it is the institution of marriage. What we need to understand from this is that God designed marriage to meet the human need for love and companionship.

In the opening chapter of Genesis, it’s interesting that after each major creation event, such as forming the earth and the sky, light and water, and so on, God looked at what he created and said, “It is good.”  And after surveying everything he had made, God declares, “Behold, it was very good.”  But then, after watching Adam, God suddenly says something is not good, he said: “…It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18). Notice that this is God’s conclusion, not Adam’s.  God is the one who saw the need and created the solution. Right from the beginning we see marriage is part of God’s plan for mankind.

And since God designed marriage, it takes three to make a good marriage: first God, then man and the woman. Marriage has been described as a triangle with God at the top: the closer each partner moves to God, the closer they move toward each other. The further each moves from God, the further they move from each other. Broken marriages always involve at least one partner moving away from God. So, the starting place in having a marriage according to God’s design is to follow him. God gives us the strength and courage to move faithfully through the challenges that come up in our married lives.

Now, not every marriage can endure as there are sometimes very difficult causes for two people to go their separate ways, but after studying the Bible and writings on God’s union of two people, we are called to give it our all and stick together through thick and thin unless there are certain circumstances that even God would not condone.

Every marriage can get better when it’s centered on Christ and when both spouses live out their God-given roles and responsibilities.

And when God created Eve, this is how he did it, “So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept 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; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’” (Genesis 2:21-23) Now, in the second chapter of the book of Genesis we’re told that God made Adam out of the dust. So, why then didn’t he do the same thing for Eve, why instead did he make her from Adam’s rib?

God did it to show Adam that his wife was a part of him, equal with him, not a lower creation. In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul instructs us, “In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:28) One commentator puts it: “She was not taken from Adam’s head, that she should rule over him; not from his feet, that she should be trampled on by him; but she was taken from his side, that she might be his equal, from under his arm, that she might be protected by him, near his heart, that he might cherish and love her.”

And after creating Eve out of Adam’s rib, this is the first command God gave them, “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24). This reflects the importance to God of the institution of marriage, reflecting the union and commitment which is central in the marriage covenant. It emphasizes the importance of leaving one's family of origin to establish a new, independent family with one's spouse. The idea of becoming 'one flesh' shows a deep, inseparable connection that goes beyond a physical union, confirming that marriage is a spiritual bond between a man and a woman. It confirms the sanctity and significance of marriage.

And as we move into the New Testament, we see just how important marriage was to Jesus. In fact, his very first miracle was done at the wedding feast in Cana when he turned water into wine.

Later on in his ministry, some Pharisees, who were jealous of the number of people who were following Jesus, tried to make him look bad by asking him this question, “‘…Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?’” (Matthew 19:3) This was Jesus’s reply, “‘Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning “made them male and female”, and said, “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.’” (Matthew 19:4-6) That’s how important the sanctity of marriage was to Jesus.

What we’ve learned from God’s word this morning is that marriage is a journey that starts with a promise and grows into a lifelong partnership. It's a commitment to support and cherish one another through the ebbs and flows of life. A marriage thrives on the principles of love, trust, respect, and communication, creating a bond that deepens with time. As Paul wrote, “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1st Corinthians 13:4-7)

Marriage is about building a shared future, where dreams are woven together, and challenges are faced hand in hand. It is a lifetime of shared experiences, memories, and the unspoken understanding that comes from years of companionship. It's a celebration of unity, where two hearts come together to form a love that is greater than the sum of its parts. Marriage is not just a legal union but an emotional and spiritual journey that reflects the deepest connection between two people.

Marriage is a journey of growth, partnership, and love. It's a commitment that goes beyond the beautiful ceremonies and the exchange of vows. It's about two people coming together to share their lives, with all the joys and challenges that life brings. It's a sacred bond that calls for patience, understanding, and forgiveness. It's about building a life together, not just a day.

Marriage is a promise to walk hand in hand, not just when the path is clear, but also through the storms. It's a covenant that says 'I am with you' in every season of life. It's about nurturing and supporting each other's dreams and finding happiness in the happiness of the other.

It's a journey of faith, where trust in each other and in the future is paramount. Marriage is a testament to the belief that love can endure, grow, and overcome any obstacle. It's a celebration of unity, where two hearts beat as one, facing the world together. It's a testament to the power of commitment and the strength that comes from unity.

Marriage is a testimony to the enduring nature of love, a reminder that together, we are stronger, wiser, and more resilient. It's a pledge to walk through life with grace, compassion, and a sense of humor. Marriage is a journey that starts with a step, grows with each shared experience, and endures through the power of love and commitment.

And always remember, a good marriage is much more than being with the right person; it’s being the right person.

Let us Pray:

Heavenly Father, may marriage be a place where we grow together and lean on you in every situation. Help us all to grow to be more like you every day, having unity in Spirit, being patient, humble, and gentle with each other, and bearing each other’s burdens with your love and strength. Amen