SEARCHLIGHT
Have you vowed to stay strong in your marriage regardless of what may happen?
SCRIPTURE
Put me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death. Song of Solomon 8:6 Amplified
SPOTLIGHT
“TILL DEATH DO US PART” is a phrase in Christian wedding vows that originates back to the Book of Common Prayer by Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1549. As times have progressed, people have introduced innovation to the vows. Jessica Levey has suggested different versions for different people. Here is the “On and On” vow: “I,…..,take you,…., to be my lawfully wedded [wife/husband], to have and to hold from this day forward, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, now and always, on and on, forever and ever, endlessly, eternally, enduringly, unchanging, infinitely, and until the end of time.” Here is the “Wrinkled” vow: “I, ….., take you,…., to be my lawfully wedded [wife/husband], to have to hold from this day forward, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until we die, old and wrinkled like cute, grumpy raisins, filled with the love of a million sunny days spent together.”
There is a good reason to continue to say, “TILL DEATH DO US PART.” Whether you are getting married or renewing your wedding vows, there is something very special that is communicated. In today’s Scripture focus, we learn about the depth of love that should exist between a married man and woman. How deep should their love be? The Bible compares it to death. The author wrote “For love is as strong as death.”
Think about the strength of death. It is so strong that no one can stop it. Death is undebatable. It is inevitable. No one can escape it. Now think about the strength of love that should exist be between 2 people who are married. Their love should be so strong that no one can stop it. When they say to each other “I love you!” they are saying, “There is no escape for me. I will love you to death. I cannot grasp how much I love you, but I can say it will be to death do us part.”
How strong of a love should a spouse have for his/her spouse? Spousal love should be:
- So strong that it is as certain as death. It is undebatable.
- So strong that it is as powerful as death. It is invincible.
- So strong that it has a hold on you just like death. It is undeniable.
In the Christian marriage vows, a couple is invited by the minister, who is acting as God’s representative, to make a commitment to each other “till death do us part.” Will you remind yourself of this commitment? These words speak of the long-lasting love that will exist between you and your spouse. Live a life of love that runs so deep that only death will cause you to be separated.
God desires married love to be unconditional and limitless. That should come as no surprise because that describes the love God has for you. God said, “I will love you to death” when He put His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross to die for your sin. When a man or woman say to each other, “I love you to death,” they are saying, “I love you so very much, words cannot express my love.”
SOMETHING TO DO
The Song of Solomon is one of the most challenging books in the Bible to interpret. However, it clearly implies that marriage is: #1 God’s design, #2 a monogamous relationship, #3 between a man and a woman, #4 to be marked by a love that is physical, emotional and spiritual. Think of yourself as someone who needs to communicate this all-important message to future generations? What can you do to help people experience a strong, Godly marriage?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I ask that my marriage would be as strong as death. You have blessed me with a wonderful spouse. Thank You for bringing us together. Help me to express to my spouse a love that is undebatable, invincible, and undeniable. Guide me so that my thoughts, words, and behavior express my depth of commitment. AMEN!