Tuesday March 5

Read: Mark 10:2-12, Genesis 2:18-24

There are few documents (if any) in Australian Law which are more authoritative and more important than the Australian Constitution. Legal cases in relation to the constitution are considered so important they are taken straight to the High Court. Just think of the movie The Castle. The Australian constitution is the foundation of law and legal process in Australia.

 

When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus in their debates on the legal reasons for divorce Jesus does not participate in their debate but instead bases His discussion on a similarly important and foundational document: the book of Genesis, specifically the creation account in Chapters 1 and 2. This account sets out the foundations of the universe and humanity: That there is a creator God who rules over the universe; that He created mankind in His own image; and that humanity has a responsibility to steward and tend creation.

 

Jesus also draws another foundational truth out of this passage: that God’s intention is for man and wife to become one flesh together at marriage. We cannot argue the importance of marriage or dismiss it as merely a manmade concept. Marriage was established by God Himself at the very beginning of mankind. God is the one who decided that marriage was important and necessary. God is the one who decided that marriage should be between one man and one woman. God is the one who makes marriage the closest possible human relationship, so much so that a husband and a wife become one flesh. Just like the constitution establishes the foundation of the law, God’s intention at creation establishes the foundation for marriage.

 

What does this mean for divorce and remarriage? Jesus teaching is clear: “What God has joined together, let man not separate.” If God has chosen to  make marriage so important and has chosen that the marriage relationship is so close then we must place the same importance on protecting it and preserving it. Have a serious look at your own life, what importance do you place on marriage?

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

Supplication:

¥ Pray for all the couples in the church who are dating, engaged or married. Pray that God would impress upon them the importance of marriage and the priority that God places upon it. Pray that they would be challenged to fight for their relationships.

¥ Pray for the cell groups as they gather during the week. Pray that as they study the word together that they would grow in relationship, that the would grow in holiness and that they would be challenged to share their faith with others.

 

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

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Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What do you think it means that a husband and a wife become one flesh?

2. What are some of the practical way that this works out in their relationship and in their lives?

3. If marriage is so important what should we do to protect it?