The whole leave and cleave thing is really a mystery

“For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church. However each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:31-33

As you are reading this, we are most likely boarding Air Jamaica, heading to or have already arrived at Ocho Rios. Finally, our beautiful daughter Marissa is soon to be a Blushing Bride. This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for (or so I thought), for some time now. We are crazy about Chris. He is kind, caring, responsible and extremely handsome. He will make a wonderful husband (and daddy someday). What great things we all have to look forward to. We are not losing our daughter in marriage rather gaining an awesome son! We couldn’t be happier or more excited with their decision to marry.

Marriage is not just a decision, it is a commitment. The word commitment means: something which engages one to do something, a continual obligation, a promise or pledge. (New Lexington Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary)

A continual obligation to me means never ending, always and forever. My prayer is that this new married couple begins forever knowing the true meaning of marriage. Not through the world’s eyes but through the eyes of God. Unfortunately many marriages fall apart because they fail to see this truth. They neglect commandment number one that states, “Love the Lord you God with all your heart and you neighbor as yourself.” These dear ones live selfishly while enjoying all the benefits that come with marriage. Painstakingly, many end in divorce because they are unable to relate with the necessary source, Jesus Christ, who is the power that keeps them united.

In speaking about marriage, Christ speaks of Himself, (the Groom) and those
who are called by His name (His Bride). The above mentioned scripture is not only speaking of a husband and wife in the flesh in verse 31 but verse 32 tells us that this mystery is speaking of Christ and the church.

When a man and woman marry, the man’s loyalty to his wife comes first before all other relationships, including that of his parents, likewise the wife’s. Each are to love and respect the other as Christ loves and respects the church. He is our role-model. In marriage the husband and wife become one flesh thus the whole leave and cleave thing begins. Hopefully, no one including the in-laws (oops that would be us) will get in the way of what God is planning to do.

This truth of verse 32 is speaking of the Believer’s relationship with Christ. As we leave our former ways of living and turn our eyes on Jesus, when we see Him in all his beauty, we can’t help but cleave to Him. As we love and respect all that He is, we can’t help but become one with Him.

When we enter into a relationship with Christ, lay our own desires, and focus on what He desires for us, that is true commitment. When we sacrificially lay aside our own wants and needs and put our spouse first, again that is commitment. Christ laid down all He is for us to the point of death. Now that’s amazing. He expects us to do the same for our spouse.

Whether you’ve been married for years or you are a soon to be blushing Bride and Groom, it’s never too late nor too early to begin this principle. If you are unsure of what laying yourself aside entails, I encourage you to dust of your Bible and search its interior. You will find what it takes to be a devoted bride or groom not only to you earthly mate but to your heavenly mate as well.
Let’s talk.
Terri can be reached at terriotterman@hotmail.com.