Sermon: Bridging the Divide [Marriage]

Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church serves Baileys Harbor (doorcounty.chu...) and other communities throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Title: Bridging the Gap [Marriage]
Text: Isaiah 62:1-5
Liturgical Date: Epiphany 2 C
Calendar Date: January 19, 2025
Location: Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Door County
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Jackson
THE FOLLOWING TRANSCRIPT WAS EDITED VIA AI TO MAKE IT MORE READABLE. IT DOES NOT MATCH THE PREACHED VERSION 100 PERCENT.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today, we take up the theme “Bridging the Divide” and reflect on how marriage serves as a privileged institution in Scripture. Marriage is described as a bridge spanning the widest gap in humanity-the gap between man and woman.
Because of this unique role, Scripture uses marriage as a metaphor for the bridge between us and God. Finally, we will explore three ways this truth shapes how we live as Christians.
A Poetic Illustration of the Divide
To illustrate the gap between man and woman, let me share one of my favorite poems. Now, before you roll your eyes-yes, a poem! But don’t worry; it’s a funny one by Ogden Nash, written in the mid-20th century. Though many highbrow poets dismissed Nash as “silly,” his work often carries profound truths, and this poem, “I Do, I Will, I Have,” is no exception.
Here’s how it goes:
How wise I am to have instructed the butler,
To instruct the first footman,
To instruct the second footman,
To instruct the doorman,
To order my carriage.
I’m about to volunteer a definition of marriage.
Just as I know there are two Hagans, Walter and Copen,
I know that marriage is a legal and religious alliance
Entered into by a man who can’t sleep with the window shut
And a woman who can’t sleep with the window open.
Moreover, just as I am unsure of the difference
Between flora and fauna and flotsam and jetsam,
I am quite sure that marriage is the alliance of two people-
One of whom never remembers birthdays,
And the other never forgets them.
He refuses to believe there is a leak in the water pipe,
And she is convinced she’s about to asphyxiate or drown.
She says, “Quick! Get up and move my hairbrushes off the windowsill. It’s raining in.”
He replies, “Oh, they’re alright-it’s only raining straight down.”
That’s why marriage is so much more interesting than divorce:
It’s the only known example of the happy meeting of
The immovable object and the irresistible force.
So, I hope husbands and wives will continue to debate
And combat over everything debatable and compatible,
Because a little incompatibility is the spice of life-
Particularly if he has income and she is pattable.
Yes, it’s a silly poem, but behind its humor lies a profound truth. Marriage is, indeed, a bridge spanning the widest divide in humanity. This divide isn’t between Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, or even Packers and Bears fans. The biggest divide in humanity is between male and female.
The Fundamental Differences Between Men and Women
Now, I understand we live in a time when this idea may not be popular. Many would argue that the differences between men and women are insignificant. But the truth is that males and females are fundamentally different in profound ways.
For instance, our brains are structured differently. A brain scan of a male and a female typically reveals clear distinctions-differences in which neurons fire and how they fire. We also have different strengths and abilities. Generally, men are larger and physically stronger, while women are blessed with the unique and beautiful ability to carry and nurture children. These differences extend even to the cellular level. Every cell in my body, down to its chromosomes, differs from the cells in a woman’s body.
Because of these God-given differences, men and women experience the world in distinct ways. We perceive things differently, which can naturally lead to conflicts and disagreements-whether it’s one person insisting the rain is coming straight down while the other insists it’s blowing in through the window.
Marriage as a Bridge Across the Divide
These differences also have societal implications. Sociologists have found that gender can be a significant predictor of where people stand on various social, political, and religious issues, especially among younger generations. Here’s an interesting example: among Generation Z-those we call Zoomers-young men are attending church in greater numbers than young women, a trend that’s unique in American history.
Despite the differences and potential for conflict, marriage serves as a bridge across this divide. It brings reconciliation between people who, in many ways, are at odds with one another. This union brings blessings-not just to the couple, who provide lif...