This is the week traditionally called “Holy week”; Christians celebrate the greatest gift of all – Christ’s death and resurrection all year long, but especially so this week leading up to Easter Sunday. What a great time to reflect on what Christ has done for us and how it effects our marriages. Christ has shown us mercy when we deserved judgment!
In his excellent book, When Sinners Say “I Do”, Dave Harvey speaks of the effect mercy has on our marriages.
‘ “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Scripture assumes we each have weaknesses, and Christ is aware of and extends mercy toward every single one. He can relate to our struggles and calls us to do the same for our spouses.
Would your spouse say you sympathize with weakness? That you extend to him or her the mercy Christ has lavished on you in light of your weaknesses? Or do you sit in judgment?
The good news for self-righteous, judgmental people (all of us from time to time) is that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). When I grasp the mercy of God expressed to me, it opens my eyes to the bankruptcy of my own righteousness and sends me to the cross for the righteousness of Christ. I can then sympathize with my spouse’s weaknesses and rejoice in my own, for they reveal God’s strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). As John Stott has said, “God’s power operates best in human weakness. Weakness is the arena in which God can most effectively manifest his power.” ‘
Does mercy triumph over judgment? What do you think? I came across these words from Shakespeare which speak a better answer than I could ever give.
The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Mercy is never strained because it is able to cover all it touches. It sweetens all it touches because it comes from heaven — from the very throne of the merciful Savior. Mercy is a blessing to those who receive and those who give. Take all you can get. And don’t forget to pass it on. (pages 93 & 96)
9Marks e-Journal has compiled a comparison chart of thirty top selling books on marriage along with a book review. It is good, no matter how long we’ve been married, to make a practice of reading one good book on marriage a year. This will help us identify blind spots in our relationship to help us change and grow, and it will cement our convictions as to why we married in the first place. Is it for our enjoyment – yes, but it’s also for the spread of the gospel. Our relationship mirrors the relationship of Christ with the Church, so the way we present ourselves to the world matters more than we realize. What picture are you portraying?
A friend recently suggested we check out 
I recently realized that I’m as old as the Winter Park Art Festival – hmmm! Not really that special, but it seems like I should get a free ticket – oh wait — it’s a free event! 🙂
If you LOVE chocolate – this might be the perfect date night for you to consider! It’s a festival devoted to this sweet confection. Check out all the details 
Fortunately, one of us remembered the French word for “tasting – digustation” and right away he smiled and poured each of us a glass.
We discovered a great article on the Purpose of Marriage by John Piper. Here is a taste of what he has to say:
Thirty years ago today Tom and I were married, but it seems as if we’ve only begun. One of the things I love most about my husband is the way he elevates the priority of our marriage. Our anniversary has always been the highlight of our year and a time for us to give thanks to God for the gift we have in each other.
The Florida Strawberry Festival
The Romantic Vineyard 