Hold your peace
by Pastor Reid Matthias
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate (Mark 10:9).
Read Mark 10:1–16
It used to be that in wedding ceremonies, the pastor would pause and ask a question of those in attendance, ‘Does anyone have any reason to object to this marriage? Speak now or forever hold your peace.’ Despite what you might believe about Hollywood and its droll wedding movies, the reason these words were spoken at weddings has nothing to do with another suitor standing at the back of the church, lovestruck, banging on the doors to proclaim their interrupting vows of affection for the bride or groom. No, the reality is much different. In ancient Christian ceremonies, the question of objection was asked to make sure that neither the bride nor the groom was married to anyone else. For the three Sundays prior to the marriage, the question was asked at worship just in case. Why was this? Because when God brings two things together, no one should separate them.
We don’t ask the question at weddings anymore because it’s unnecessary. But the reason is still incredibly relevant because when God brings people together, we should hold our peace or – more importantly – give it to them. For me, the Scripture is obviously about marriage but also about relationships in general. As God brings people together – friendships, families, working partnerships – separating them is a result of hardened hearts.
Instead, as people were bringing little children to Jesus for him to bless them, he said, ‘Be like these kids. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them’. In general, kids are soft-hearted, malleable, inquisitive and desire relationships above all else. Be like them, Jesus says, because in that mindset (not infantile behaviour, mind you), you get to see all the great things God has joined together for good.
Who are people in your life with whom God has connected you?
Feel free to drop them a line of encouragement and appreciation today.
Heavenly Father, bless me with a soft heart and open my eyes to your goodness in the world. Help me to appreciate the amazing people you have blessed me with. Amen.
Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, who is part of the Grow Ministries team. Together, they have raised three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta. Dedicated to the written word, Reid has recently published his fourth novel, Blank Spaces, maintains the blog ireid.blogspot.com and regularly contributes to The Lutheran magazine.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
