Bone of My Bone: The Mystery of Divine Union

 

Scripture:

• Genesis 2:23–25 — “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…”

• Ephesians 5:29–32 — “…For we are members of His body. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife…’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”

In Genesis, we witness the first human relationship—Adam beholding Eve and recognizing something divine in the unity they share: “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” This is more than poetry. It is a declaration of identity, of intimacy, of unity that does not erase difference, but honors it in love.

Marriage, as introduced here, is not a mere contract. It is covenant—a joining that reflects something eternal. And Paul picks up this thread in Ephesians. He writes that marriage is more than just a bond between man and woman—it is a mirror of the bond between Christ and the church.

So how does marriage mirror Christ’s love?

First, in sacrificial love. Just as Christ gave Himself up for the church, a marriage grounded in faith calls each spouse to lay down pride, self-interest, and ego—to serve and nurture the other as their own body. Ephesians 5 says, “No one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for it, just as Christ does the church.” True love is not about dominance or power—it’s about sacrifice and care.

Second, in unity without loss of identity. Adam says Eve is “flesh of my flesh”—and yet she is not him. In Christ’s relationship with humanity, we are united to Him, but not absorbed. He lifts us up, restores us, and yet we remain ourselves, beautifully and uniquely made. So too in marriage—two become one, yet both are called to flourish.

Third, in the mystery of covenant. Paul calls this union a “profound mystery.” Christ doesn’t just save us from afar—He becomes one with us. He enters our humanity. Likewise, in marriage, we see a covenant where lives intertwine not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally, and vocationally. It is not a contract—it’s a reflection of the eternal love God has for His people.

Friends, whether you are married or not, the invitation of these passages is to see all love—especially covenantal love—as a signpost. A sign pointing us to the One who says to us, “You are bone of My bone, flesh of My flesh.” The One who left His heavenly home to be united with us, not just in word, but in blood and Spirit.

Let every marriage remind us of this greater union—that Christ has bound Himself to us forever. And in His love, we find the pattern for all love. Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 3: Images From Marriage