The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Jonathan M. during the 2009-2010 League.
Mission: Research on the Sanctity of Marriage
The Bible says, "The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body." (Ephesians 5:23). From the beginning, God designed marriage to picture the relationship between Christ and his church. The man's headship is designed to picture Christ's headship. Every husband is a representation of Christ and the New Testament church.
Here is a definition of sanctity from the New Oxford English Dictionary. Sanctity is the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly. This definition applied to marriage would mean that marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman. When something is holy it is set apart, and that is exactly what is being pictured here. Marriage is a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the church.
The matter of divorce is laid out very clearly in both the Old and New Testaments. In Malachi 2:16 it says: "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."
And in Matthew 19:7-9 it says: "They said to Him, 'Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?' He said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.' " These verses state strongly that God hates divorce. He made marriage to be a lasting bond between a man and a woman that was never meant to be broken. If this bond is broken the consequences are unending. But God can make something beautiful out of tragedy.
" 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5:31-33)
In a similar picture, with Christ it will often be necessary to leave behind much of our origins - how we used to live, and what we previously believed. We must adhere to Christ more than our traditions, and more than our family. Otherwise, our potential in Christ will only be diminished.
The great reformer, Martin Luther once said, "There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."
My understanding of marriage has broadened as a result of studying this subject. The sanctity of marriage is a precious gift from God and should be guarded jealously by all.
