Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Devotion
Scripture:- Matthew 19:3-12
Topic:- Did Jesus Have A Wife [4]
Topic:- Revelation 21:9
- She was also among the first to see the risen Christ. See Matthew 28:9; John 20:11-18.
- The passage in John suggests that she was alone when she saw Him, though the passage in Matthew suggests that there was another woman. These could either be two separate appearances, or John simply could have left out Mary’s companion.
- Mary Magdalene was one of the first to see the empty tomb, along with one or more other women. See Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10.
- She was also among the first to see the risen Christ. See Matthew 28:9; John 20:11-18.
- The passage in John suggests that she was alone when she saw Him, though the passage in Matthew suggests that there was another woman.
- These could either be two separate appearances, or John simply could have left out Mary’s companion.
- None of these passages indicate that there was anything special between Jesus and Mary that was not present between Jesus and His other female followers.
- In the encounter with Jesus that John records, Mary specifically refers to Jesus as “Lord” and “Teacher,” not as any titles that might indicate a husband-wife relationship. See John 20:11-18.
- Another poignant moment indicates that Mary Magdalene was not Jesus’ wife. “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” However, of all of the women there, Jesus singles out only His mother in the next passage. See John 19:25.
- When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. See John 19:26-27.
- It follows that if Jesus was looking out for the women in His life at this moment, He would also commend His wife’s protection to someone.
- Even more conveniently, if she was His wife, Mary Magdalene was also standing there. But He very notably does not single her out, and instead only commends His mother, indicating that she is the only woman for which He is directly socially responsible.
G. What Would It Mean If Jesus Were Married: - Though having a married Jesus would not necessarily negate His deity or perfection (marriage is not a sin, after all), it would have significant implications.
- If Jesus married, that would mean He chose one woman on earth to elevate and love over all others. This would be an interesting theological quandary, seeming to show that God loves different people to different degrees.
- Jesus having an earthly bride would be confusing to reconcile with the Church as His spiritual Bride. The metaphor begins to break down.
- If Jesus married, He probably would have had children. This means that somewhere, what essentially must have been demigods would have been running about. And if so, did they die off? Or are there lines of part-deities still out there today? What does that mean for the claim that through Christ we are children of God. See John 1:12?
- If Jesus had a wife, the early church was very good at covering up that fact. For what possible purpose? What else did the church change or cover up? Considering the embarrassing tales of themselves that the apostles didn’t hesitate to include in Gospel accounts, it seems unlikely that the church was covering up anything.
- In marriage, husband and wife become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). If sinless Jesus married sinful woman (because all have sinned) and became one flesh with her, would He then be tainted with sin?
Prayer Point:- Oh Lord God, help me to understand You better and be intimate with You henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Mid-Week!
