Ezekiel 16:59-63 / Matthew 19:3-12
To understand the purpose and function of something, it is necessary to go back to its original design.
Whether it is an appliance or equipment or building, the original design can be found in the blueprints, the specifications and the architectural drawings.
With a good knowledge of the original design, then the appliance or equipment or building will function well and serve its purpose.
In the gospel when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about marriage and divorce, He used a phrase that make them recall what marriage was all about.
Jesus said: Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female.
That can be found in the Book of Genesis where there are the stories of the creation of the world, the creation of man, and then this rather unique story of woman who was created from a rib taken from the side of man.
So the whole creation story is a story of God’s love, a love that is also expressed between a man and a woman in the union of marriage.
That was the original design and purpose of creation and marriage, that man and woman and creation are designed for love and designed to love.
That design and purpose of love in the creation story is eventually brought to a fulfillment on the Cross.
When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a lance, blood and water flowed from His heart.
From His pierced heart flowed the beginning of the Church, the Bride of Christ.
From His pierced Heart flowed His love for us, as symbolized by the blood, and that He has washed us clean from sin, as symbolized by the water.
So we are designed to love and our purpose in life is to love.
When we keep to that design and purpose, then we will be able to live our lives joyfully and meaningfully, because that is the design and purpose that our Creator has for us from the beginning.