A Most Amazing Miracle
Scripture Reading — Mark 10:1-12
"For this reason a man will ... be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." Mark 10:7-8
The painful reality of divorce is a challenge for the church today. But this was also true in Jesus' day. To test him and try to get him into trouble with legal experts, some religious leaders wanted to debate with him on this subject. But notice that he turned the tables to explain the impact of marriage.
Jesus reminds us that marriage is not based on feelings. Marriage is the amazing and mysterious miracle in which two persons, a man and a woman with different backgrounds and families, become one unit. According to God, when two people come together in marriage, they create a new living thing: they become one flesh. So when I promised, "I do," to my wife, life was no longer just about me; it was about us.
To hold this beautiful vision of marriage is tough in a world that is so focused on the individual. Messages bombard us from all sides to try to convince us that the self is most important--it's all about what I feel, what I want, what I need.
For those of us who are married, Jesus invites us to die to that selfish spirit and work to build up and bless our spouse.
And for those of us who know the pain of a broken marriage, God invites us to experience the forgiveness, grace, and healing that give renewed peace and joy.
Lord, please bless those of us who are married and the marriages of the people around us. Please also give healing and grace for all who suffer from broken relationships. Amen.
About the author — Kevin DeRaaf
Kevin DeRaaf is the director of Resonate Global Mission, the Christian Reformed mission agency working in more than 40 countries around the world. With a focus on encouraging others to join in God’s mission where they are, Kevin believes that God’s purpose for the local church is to shine as a community of love and grace, showing in tangible ways that Jesus is the hope of the world. He and his wife, Jacquie, have three children and four grandchildren and live in Burlington, Ontario.
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