What does "He who created them" reveal about God's authority in relationships? Setting the Scene Matthew 19:4: “Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator “made them male and female”…?’” By choosing the title “He who created them,” Jesus roots His teaching on marriage in God’s original act of creation, anchoring every human relationship in divine authority. God as Creator—His Rightful Authority • Creation establishes ownership. Because God brought humanity into existence, He alone has the right to define how people relate to one another (Genesis 1:27; Colossians 1:16). • Authority flows from authorship. The One who designs has the prerogative to direct; the One who forms also frames the rules (Isaiah 45:9). • Jesus appeals to this foundational truth when addressing marital questions, signaling that any view of relationships detached from the Creator’s intent lacks legitimacy. Designed Differences, Singular Origin • “Made them male and female” underscores intentional complementarity, not interchangeable parts (Genesis 2:18–23). • Both sexes share one origin—created by God—so neither can claim superiority; mutual dignity springs from mutual Creator (Galatians 3:28). • The phrase guards against self-determined definitions of gender or relationship roles; it directs us back to God’s blueprint. Marriage—A Divine Institution • The next verse (Matthew 19:5) cites Genesis 2:24: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” • Because marriage stems from creation, it is not merely cultural or contractual but covenantal, overseen by God Himself (Malachi 2:14–15). • God’s authority safeguards permanence: “What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6; Hebrews 13:4). Practical Implications for Today • Identity and roles are received, not invented. Embracing God’s categories affirms His lordship. • Relationship ethics—faithfulness, sacrificial love, headship, respect—derive from the Creator’s character (Ephesians 5:22–33). • Challenges in relationships drive us back to the One who designed them; He alone supplies wisdom and grace to live out His pattern (James 1:5). Affirming God’s Authority in Our Relationships “He who created them” is more than a historical note—it is an ongoing declaration of God’s sovereignty over every friendship, family bond, and marriage. Recognizing Him as Creator invites humble submission, confident obedience, and unwavering trust that His design, revealed in Scripture, is both authoritative and good. |