Main Thought
In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul refers to a “mystery” hidden in marriage. This mystery is that God made marriage to mirror the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the gospel, we see God faithfully kept His covenant promises - even though we aren’t always faithful to Him. Jesus kept Himself from sin and temptation in order to remain faithful in His love God and His people. It’s because of God’s grace that we can have a personal relationship with Him - in spite of the differences between creation and Creator.
Each of these truths are reflected in marriage. God intended for the marriage covenant to be honored for a lifetime. Each spouse agrees to forsake all others and keep themselves unto each other. The differences between a Husband and a Wife are designed for deep union. Marriages grow in beauty and strength when they mirror the gospel more and more. The world can catch a glimpse of the gospel through godly marriages, and through other godly relationships.
Main Passages
'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.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.'
- Genesis 2:21-25
“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
- Mark 10:6-9 ESV
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
- Ephesians 5:31-32 ESV
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?
Have you ever seen qualities of God’s love reflected in a marriage? If so, how?
How can you better mirror the love of God in a relationship that matters to you? What can you do to become more like Jesus in that relationship?