The threefold cord- Christ in the centre of marriage

The threefold cord- Christ in the centre of marriage

Recently, I was listening to a message on marriage, and there are some interesting points we would do well to consider.

Firstly, as a saying goes, a threefold cord is not easily broken. Christ must be at the center of every marriage for it to have lasting success and growth. When Paul spoke to wives, he said, submit to your husband as to the Lord, and to husbands, he said, love your wives as Christ loves the church. Marriage was instituted to show us God’s love for His people, Christ’s love for His church.

Some wives may feel their husbands are unworthy of respect but Paul exhorts wives, don’t look at him first, look at Lord Jesus, then respect your husband as you would Lord Jesus. Similarly, some husbands look down on their wives, but Paul says, look at Jesus first, see how He loves His church, then love your wife the same way! Jesus is at the center always, and teaches us to love.

Now, looking at all creation, we see that where God made a thing, it should naturally be near where God made it to be blessed. In the skies, God made the sun and moon and stars, and so they should stay there. A fallen star is a dead star. From the sea, God made fishes and fishes should stay in the sea. Likewise, animals made from the land should stay on land.  When God made Adam, He said “let us” referring to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and saw Adam is made from God himself but Adam’s body is made from the dust. And then God made Eve from Adam’s side. Being created from Spirit, Adam must stay close to God for that’s where he belongs. That’s why there is a desire inside each one of a man’s heart to seek God. Unfortunately, some who have not managed to fulfill that need have turned to idols as a poor replacement. Eve being taken from Adam’s side belongs next to Adam’s side, and there is a sense of meaning and purpose for every wife standing beside her husband. She was not meant to rule over him or be stepped on by him, but to serve beside him as an equal partner. To single women, you can stand at Jesus side and enjoy His warmth and love and when you find your husband, Jesus is still there in your threefold cord.

There is a dangerous teaching in some circles that says that there is a perfect one person that God has placed for you to be your spouse. The implied danger is that whenever things don’t go well, you immediately start to wonder, is he or she the perfect one meant for me? No such thing! Scripture has said that God can cause all things to work together for the good of those who love him. No matter how imperfect or weak your partner may seem to be in your eyes, Jesus can change that in an instant. Your job is to continue obeying, to love your wives as Jesus loves the church, to submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

The first miracle Jesus ever did was at a wedding at Cana, and He turned water into wine. The wine was so good that the master of the ceremony commended the bridegroom. Marriage was always important to Jesus and to God and he stated clearly God’s stand against divorce. Just like Jesus changed water to wine, He can also easily change your marriage into something really wonderful.

To the married, may the Lord bless your marriage with unity and joy and make it like fine wine. To singles, may the Lord bless you with His precious presence, and grant you wisdom and grace where you are led to marry. Praise be ever to His name. In Jesus name, Amen.