MARITAL STATUS
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.” 1 Corinthians 7:38, ESV
Theme: Being married does not give us preference or status in eternity. Try to overcome cultural bias towards those who marry and value both the married and unmarried among you.
IT’S IRRELEVENT IN ETERNITY
It’s hard to imagine a situation when marital status isn’t relevant. We must list our marital status on every form. It qualifies us for health insurance, changes our names, allows us entry into hospital rooms, and changes our taxable incomes (sometimes). Being married is relevant in the culture we live in, whether we believe it is a sacred, God-given covenant or just a cultural convention.
Yet, Jesus said: “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30, ESV). I can see why marriage would be confusing in eternity. In fact, that’s what religious leaders were asking about when Jesus responded with this statement. In heaven, whose wife is a woman who remarried after the death of her first (and second and third) husband? “Let’s stump Jesus,” thought the religious leaders. Instead, Jesus reveals that this all-important status really might not be as important as we think.
IT’S NOT BAD
Being married is not bad. Getting married when you’re betrothed is not bad. It’s just that all commitments do require time, effort, and priority. So those who refrain from marriage sidestep the limitations and ties that go with it. Jesus never shamed people for being married. He called some disciples who were already married, and he celebrated at weddings. However, Jesus Himself did not marry. Those who choose not to marry are better able to focus on God and His business. The ability to forsake personal satisfaction and comfort for the hope of a more effective ministry is rare and admirable.
NANCY
Nancy was in her 60’s when I met her. She was a lively volunteer in the student group I attended. As a retired nurse, she was often sought out to participate in student missions and camp retreats...and she obliged. In one such trip, we were camping in tents with Azusa Pacific University outside of Mexicali, Mexico. The bathroom situation was basic: a row of port-a-potties. During the trip, many teenage girls (me included!) needed menstrual products unexpectedly. Nancy explained to us that it was very common for an off-schedule cycle when under stress. She had everything we needed and provided for our needs discreetly. Back home, she hosted parties, allowed student leaders to live in her home, and loved us really well. She had a family and great relationships with her kids, yet after her husband passed away, she focused her life on serving. She had increased capacity and resources to do so!
CLIQUES
Let’s not form cliques. In my family’s life, this looks like intentionally including people in our get-togethers who aren’t married. It’s normal for us to invite single people--with and without kids--to our family meals and holidays. I think often of my single friends and make an effort to have habits that allow comfortable inclusion of many kinds of friendships. I also think about marriage-centered problems and sins in a different fashion. All of those issues will be of low or no priority in heaven. I think Jesus’ one statement that there will be nobody married in heaven is striking in that it could potentially refocus our priorities regarding things like leadership, gender roles, priorities, and teamwork.
Make It Personal: What bias do you have towards people who are married? Single? What implication to Jesus’ statement that there will be none given or taken in marriage in heaven most affects you?
Pray: Lord, help me to focus on eternal things and show love to everyone. Please take the bias I have and adjust my priorities and perspective to be more like Yours. You provide everything that I need, and You love each of us with a love that requires no addition or modification. Thank You for Your perfect plans for today and forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Mark 12:24-26; Matthew 22:29-31
Weekly Memory Verse: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a, ESV