What is 1 > 2?
By Matt Dawson
How many remember these drills in Math Class?
(chose the proper > or < sign for the following numbers)
4 5
7 6
3 10
9 8
I even remember when I was a kid being told that the best way to remember what sign did what was to think about PacMan. The PacMan eats the larger number. Or, the small end “points” to the lowest number. I did okay in math, but I always had trouble remember which sign meant what!
So why name a series 1>2 when clearly that flies in the face of math professors across the globe?
Because in God’s economy when it comes to the topic of marriage, ONE is GREATER than TWO.
When Jesus spoke about marriage in Matthew 19, he quotes the Jewish scriptures (Genesis 2:24) “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Jesus helped us begin to understand that when two come together…they become STRONGER…GREATER than the individual two.
There is something very unique about the way that God designed marriage. Paul talks at length about this in Ephesians 5:21-33 as he describes two individuals giving 100% of themselves to each other – and becoming ONE. Again, math wizards struggle with God’s economy. Paul also quotes Jesus words in Matthew 19 and Genesis 2 when he says, “As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” Paul tells us this is a MYSTERY but also tells us it is a PICTURE of the relationship between Christ and His church.
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to discuss this paradox. That ONE IS GREATER THAN TWO. That God has a design and plan for our marriage that is stronger and greater than what we could individually accomplish. If you’re not married (single or single-again), we hope this series will strengthen your resolve to not settle for the way our culture has defined relationships – but to TRUST GOD’S WAY in marriage!