At the wedding of my niece, it was pointed out in the ceremony that a marriage is a joining of a man and woman into a union of one. The couple both tied three stands of rope together to form the cross.

Within a good marriage, there is a third person; Jesus Christ intertwined to make the bond stronger. In reading Ephesians 5:21-33, we are taught that the love of Christ for the church is an example we should follow. To show devotion to Christ by growing to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head. From Christ the head, the whole body is joined and held together by every supporting ligament, growing and building itself up in love. Each part doing its work (Eph 4:15-16).

Within a marriage, the couple should submit to one another out of reference to Christ (v. 21). Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25). A husband should be devoted and give himself up for his wife. Blessing his wife, lifting her up, listening, and caring for her.

The love between a husband and a wife should be sincere, wholesome, and stable as they grow old together knowing the best is yet to come. Each household, the church, and community is all about providing the Way to productive lives. Marriage unifies two as one much as the church unifies Jesus as one with its members providing the best Way to success in any society.

Help us to submit to Your Way Lord. To love You and love each other. If we do, the third person of Christ will be intertwined to make the bond stronger. To encourage one another, work together, and provide a blessing within our society. In Jesus name … Amen.