85: Jesus on the Cross: What Does It Mean for Your Marriage?

Jesus on the Cross: What Does It Mean for Your Marriage?

Introduction 

• Heather poses the question: What does Jesus dying on the cross have to do with marriage?
• Setting the stage for exploring the connection.
• Encouraging likes, follows, and subscriptions.

The Ultimate Act of Love (John 3:16) 

• Reflecting on the lead-up to Easter and the meaning of the cross.
• Reciting John 3:16 – God's love for the world demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice.
• Jesus as fully man and fully God, choosing to bear our sin out of love.
• Our fate sealed with Him through belief, leading to eternal life.

Marriage as an Act of Love 

• Comparing dating and marriage as expressions of love.
• The wedding day and vows as a profound commitment and act of love for one another.
• Vows to love, honor, and protect through various circumstances.
• Marriage as the "greatest thing" after the initial spark of dating.

Sacrifice in Marriage 

• Jesus' sacrifice as requiring blood to wipe away sin.
• Questioning whether we sacrifice our wills and desires for our spouse.
• Easier in early relationships, but challenges arise with time and "entangled" lives.
• Brian's example of differing reactions to a spouse wanting to quit a job early vs. later in marriage.

Love, Grace, and Mercy 

• Love as a beautiful aspect of the cross.
• Introducing the concepts of grace and mercy and their interconnectedness.
• Reading Romans 5:8 – God's love demonstrated while we were sinners.
• Defining grace: God giving us good things we don't deserve.
• Defining mercy: God withholding punishment we do deserve.

Offering Grace in Marriage 

• Can we offer grace to our spouse through loving words, gifts, and encouragement?
• The challenge of showing grace when feeling angry or annoyed.

The 5:1 Ratio (John Gottman) 

• Referencing John Gottman's research on the importance of positive interactions.
• The ideal ratio of 5-20 positive acts for every one negative act for a happy marriage.
• Grace as encompassing those positive and beneficial actions.
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