Ephesians 5:30–31
30because we are members of His body. 31For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
Focused Thinking:
Why does Paul pull in this quote from Genesis 2:24?
He uses the bond between Christ and the church to illustrate the love of a husband for his wife.
He is showing that the bond between husband and wife is greater than the bond between parent and child.
The greatness of the mystery refers to the two becoming one flesh.
Personal Application:
- I have great in-laws but I think one appropriate application of this verse is to evaluate your “leaving and cleaving” status.
- Most women need to redefine their relationship with their mom after marriage.
- Many men need to stand up and lead responsibly in defining the boundaries with in-laws.
Book Recommendation: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Interactive Prayer:
Father, thank you for Karin and the oneness that we have built over fifteen years of marriage. Thank you for our ability to communicate. Thank you for her complete and total loyalty to me. Thank you for our in-laws and for the healthy relationship we have with them. Thank you that they respect our marriage and our family. Thank you for the ways that Karin and I have become one spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Thank you for the oneness we have as parents. I pray that each year is a new dimension of oneness. I pray that You will give us favor over the next eight years as we prepare Mark and Annika to love You, serve You and find a God-fearing spouse. I pray for Mark and Annika to find their spouses in college. I pray that they will be married young. I pray that You will give us lots of grandchildren. I pray that I can build a legacy of oneness with God and oneness with our family and our children’s families.
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