Do you mind if I stir up the proverbial pot for a moment? I’ve been thinking about the “until death do us part” line used in most wedding ceremonies. What does it mean, “until death do us part”?
At this point, I have mostly questions to share. And, as always, I’d enjoy reading your responses; whether you are answering my questions or asking some of your own.
Does death end a marriage? Jesus said, “what God has joined together, let no man separate.” So, would death separate a husband and wife?
Of course, physically they’re separated. But are they still connected spiritually?
Paul wrote that “two joined together are one flesh”. Immediately following he wrote, “he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with the Lord.” Then, in Ephesians 5 he wrote, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
So marriage reflects the church and the church reflects the marriage relationship. And since that is the case, does that mean death does NOT end a marriage? Death sure doesn’t separate the Lord and the believer! Actually, it’s quite the opposite.
Just how sacred is the marriage act?
Some people came to Jesus one day, asking some questions, attempting to trap Him in His words. “A man marries a woman, but dies before they have kids. So a brother marries her, and, again, dies before they have children. Likewise, a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh! No children! Whose wife will she be in Heaven?” (I wonder how the woman kept her sanity?)
Jesus responded, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36 ESV)
Did Jesus say no one will be married in Heaven, or did He say there won’t be any weddings?
If two have been joined together, won’t they still be?
And, does God “join together” every man and woman that say they’re getting married?
Does God attend every wedding?
(By the way, I’m not trying to find a loophole in my marriage covenant.)
But the question still intrigues me: Does death end a marriage?
What about people who have been married multiple times? Well, just how many people can a person become “one” with? I don’t know; maybe you do.
Kind of complicated, isn’t it! Maybe that’s why God says He hates divorce (Malachi 2). I’m not condemning anyone for divorcing, or for being divorced; just asking a few questions.
So, does death end a marriage?
What do you think?
Jan Grace 