Cleave Like Christ

The word cleave means “to split apart.” If you think about a meat cleaver, it severs large chunks of meat when applied with force.

So, why did Jesus say this?

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife;” ~Mark 10:7, KJV

We need to examine this word a bit deeper to discover that Jesus is referencing the actions of a cleaver; the man is like unto a cleaver. His dependence on his parent severs and then, he attaches himself to his wife as an ax would attach to a log.

Now obviously, this is not in a violent way, but rather the husband has a deep, heart-of-the-matter type of attachment to her. He dedicates his life to loving her, being there for her, and trusting her. In the same way, the wife attaches herself to the husband, relying on him, trusting him, and respecting him. Now if a man were ungodly, the force of his cleave could tear his wife apart because he did not love her as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it.  Anyone who has ever suffered a broken heart knows what this tearing feels like. Therefore, we are able to see, just how deep love, or lack thereof, can affect a marriage bond.

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” ~Mark 10: 7-9, KJV