The Mystery of Marriage: A Sacred Institution Reflecting God's Nature and Purposes

The Mystery of Marriage: An Enigma Wrapped in a Mystery

What makes a man and a woman decide to spend the rest of their lives together? What is it about marriage that makes it so special, so sacred, so profound? These are questions that have puzzled humans for centuries. The institution of marriage is an enigma wrapped in a mystery, a riddle that defies easy explanation.

Yet, despite its mystery, marriage is a topic that has captured the attention of some of the greatest minds in human history. Philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and sociologists have all tried to understand the nature of marriage and the role it plays in human life. And while they may not always agree on the details, they all recognize that marriage is a unique and important institution that has a profound impact on human flourishing.

The Biblical View of Marriage

For Christians, the Bible is the ultimate authority on the nature of marriage. According to the Bible, marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman that is designed to reflect the nature of God himself. In Genesis 1:27-28, we read:

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

And God blessed them. And God said to them,

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Here we see that God created humanity in his own image, and that part of that image is reflected in the complementary nature of male and female. Together, man and woman are called to be fruitful, to multiply, and to exercise dominion over the earth. This is a high and noble calling, and it is one that is only possible through the covenant of marriage.

In the New Testament, Jesus himself affirms the importance of marriage. In Matthew 19:4-6, he says:

“Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his 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.”

Here, Jesus quotes from the creation account in Genesis and affirms that marriage is a union of one man and one woman that is intended to be lifelong. He also emphasizes the divine nature of marriage, stating that it is God himself who joins the couple together.

The Mystery of Marriage

Despite the biblical clarity on the nature and importance of marriage, there remains a sense in which marriage is a mystery. The apostle Paul speaks of this mystery in Ephesians 5:31-32:

“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.

Here, Paul quotes from the Genesis passage and emphasizes the mysterious nature of marriage. He goes on to say that this mystery refers to Christ and the church. In other words, there is a sense in which the covenant relationship between a husband and wife is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and his church.

This idea of marriage as a reflection of the relationship between Christ and his church is further developed in other New Testament passages. For example, in 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul says:

I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Here, Paul speaks of the church as being betrothed to Christ, and he uses the language of marriage to describe this relationship. Similarly, in Revelation 19:7-9, we read:

Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted her to clothe herself

with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Here, the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) and his Bride (the church) is described in glorious terms, and it is clear that this marriage is the culmination of all human history.

The Importance of Marriage

Given the biblical teaching on the nature and significance of marriage, it is clear that marriage is an important institution that should be valued and protected. Marriage is not simply a human invention, but rather it is a reflection of God’s own nature and purposes. It is a covenant relationship that is intended to be lifelong and that is grounded in the complementary nature of male and female.

Marriage is also important because of the many benefits it provides to individuals, families, and society as a whole. Research has consistently shown that married individuals are happier, healthier, and more financially secure than their unmarried counterparts. Children raised in intact families are also more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Furthermore, marriage provides a stable foundation for society. When marriages are strong, families are strong, and when families are strong, communities are strong. Conversely, when marriages break down, families suffer, and the negative effects ripple out into society.

The Challenge of Marriage

Despite the many benefits of marriage, it is also true that marriage can be challenging. The covenant relationship between a husband and wife requires sacrifice, selflessness, and a willingness to work through difficult times. It requires a deep commitment to the well-being of the other person, even when that commitment requires personal sacrifice.

Furthermore, marriage is not immune to the effects of sin. The biblical account of marriage acknowledges that there will be times of conflict, misunderstanding, and even betrayal. But even in the midst of these challenges, the covenant of marriage remains a sacred and important institution that should be valued and protected.

The Future of Marriage

As we look to the future, it is clear that marriage will continue to be an important institution that shapes human society. But it is also true that marriage is facing significant challenges in our current cultural moment. The rise of individualism, the decline of religious faith, and the erosion of traditional gender roles are all factors that are contributing to the erosion of marriage.

Despite these challenges, however, Christians can remain confident in the power and importance of marriage. By grounding our understanding of marriage in the biblical teaching on the nature of God and humanity, we can be assured that marriage will continue to be a source of strength, stability, and flourishing in the years to come.

Conclusion

The mystery of marriage may never be fully understood, but that should not discourage us from valuing and protecting this important institution. Marriage is a covenant relationship that reflects the nature of God and is intended to be lifelong. It provides many benefits to individuals, families, and society as a whole, and it is a source of strength and stability in an often chaotic world.

As Christians, we should be committed to upholding the sanctity of marriage and to working to strengthen and protect this sacred institution. By doing so, we can help to ensure that marriage remains a source of blessing and flourishing for generations to come.