A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

UNTIL DEATH DO US PART      

Matthew 19:3-6 “Some Pharisees came to Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

The bride and groom stand before God’s altar and in the presence of family and invited guests speak their vows of lifelong faithfulness and commitment to one another. Their vows are their promise to one another, to God, and to all the assembled to remain married to each other until one of them dies.   

“Until death parts” means the bride and groom commit themselves and their marriage to God. Through prayer, contemplation, and trust in God they were led by Him to His presence at their church’s altar and through prayer and according to their vows they intend to trust Him alone to determine when their marriage will end.   

The Jews wanted to know if God permits divorce for “any and every reason.” Their question, although spoken 2,000 years ago, is up-to-date. In most all states in this country you don’t need to have a reason to get married and you certainly don’t need to have a reason to end a marriage. Where at one time a divorce was granted only upon proof of an action by one of the two in a marriage that broke their marriage vow, today no reason is needed. You apply and a divorce is granted.  The pastor’s words to the marriage couple begin with the words, “Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted and blessed by God in Paradise . . .” He goes on to say following these words, “In marriage we see a picture of the communion between Christ and His bride, the Church.” Can you imagine Jesus divorcing Himself from the church? 

Marriage, as is true with all things you do as a Christian, you do to the glory and honor of God. 

Prayer: Lord, today I pray not only for my own marriage, but that all who have spoken Christian marriage vows will faithfully keep them to Your glory and honor. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Christ be my leader by night as by day;  
Safe through the darkness, for He is the way.  
Gladly I follow, my future His care,  
Darkness is daylight when Jesus is there. 

Christ be my Teacher in age as in youth,   
Drifting or doubting, for He is the truth.  
Grant me to trust Him; though shifting as sand,  
Doubt cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand. 

Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife;  
Death cannot hold me, for He is the life.  
Not darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain  
Can touch my salvation: With Jesus I reign.  

Christ Be My Leader // LSB 861