What Jesus Did! '4 Ways 1' — Matthew 19:4-6

Monday, September 4, 2017

Jesus answered, "Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, 'he made people male and female.' And God said, 'So a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one.' So the two people are not two, but one. God joined those two people together. So no person should separate them."
— Matthew 19:4-6 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 19:4-6 NLT — "Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, 'he made people male and female."

Key Thought

Rather than getting caught up in the religious debate, Jesus makes the biblical point, God's point, on marriage. When a man and woman marry, they are to become one for life. He emphasizes this unity is reality in four ways:
First, they are united socially. Their two lives are pledged in partnership to each other as they leave parents and begin their life together.
Second, they are one flesh. They become one physically and sexually.
Third, the two become one. Emotionally they share their lives together and depend upon one another as complements and strengtheners.
Fourth, God has joined them together. They enter into covenant with him and are one spiritually because God makes them one.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, please strengthen the commitment to marriage in my friends, in my family, in your church, and in myself. It seems marriages are in trouble everywhere. Pour out your Spirit upon us as we commit our lives to your gracious covenant of marriage. Make our relationships a light to the world and a blessing to our children. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 5:28-33
  • 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
  • Matthew 5:31-32

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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