Yesterday (March 1st.) 46 years ago, Debbie and I were joined together by a covenant administered by Martin Emerson, of God, and made one flesh. “…a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become ONE FLESH.” (Gen. 2:24)
Jesus had this to say about this sacred union, “Some Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become ONE FLESH‘? So they are NO LONGER TWO, but ONE flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, LET NOT MAN SEPARATE.” (Matthew 19:3-6)
When Jesus revealed this divine truth about the sacred marriage covenant, “The Pharisees said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning IT WAS NOT SO” (Matthew 19:7-8)
Why is it so important for us to understand the sacredness of this marriage covenant? “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her TO MAKE HER HOLY, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to PRESENT HER TO HIMSELF as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY—BUT I AM TALKING ABOUT CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.” (Ephesians 5:25-32)
This actual event is not that far off, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB!‘ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9)
-Bill Stockham