Line Upon Line

I've got to tell you up front, I have not read Dan Brown's novel, 'The Da Vinci Code'.

From the look of things, I might be the only one who hasn't read it. At the moment, it's the #1 best-selling book at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

However, I did watch ABC's one hour special, The Mysteries of 'Jesus, Mary and Da Vinci' last night.

The program sought to find answers to suggestions made in the book's fictional storyline -- most significantly, the idea that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, and that she bore His child. They interviewed author Dan Brown, Father McBrien from Notre Dame, and other theologians and 'scholars', in an attempt to uncover the historical record that would either support or deny this claim.

Now to some, the mere suggestion that Jesus was married while He was here on earth -- well, 'them's fightin' words.'

But I think the question can be asked without it being viewed as an attack on Christianity or the divinity of Christ. (Hey, at least the program assumed there was a guy named Jesus!)

So, is it possible that Jesus and Mary were happily married?

If you search the Bible (and you should), you will find no Scriptural evidence -- not even a hint or suggestion -- that Jesus was married to anyone, including Mary.

Now IF He was married, this has got to be one of the best kept secrets of all time -- wouldn't you think?

But, there is no mention of such a thing -- not from Peter, not from John, not from Paul -- not from anybody. It's just not there.

We do know that Jesus had a special place in Mary Magdalene's life -- for one thing, he cast seven demons out of her; but that in no way suggests that there was a sexual relationship -- or wedding bells.

I do recall Jesus attending a wedding in Cana of Galilee, but He was not the groom. (He did re-stock the bar, though.)

Well, I imagine there will be people talking about this today. There will be debates, and arguments, and disagreements to be sure. That's OK...it won't change the facts. At least it might get people talking about Jesus. Actually, you might want to use the question to open a conversation with somebody about Jesus.

Now there's an idea!

It's possible that ABC will be vilified for showing this. But, I really don't think the network was unleashing an attack on Jesus. I think they were out for the ratings, and just trying to do what they're in business to do -- make money. With the current success of the book, I wouldn't be surprised if they accomplished those goals.

By the way, I thought host Elizabeth Vargas did a great job with a tough subject. She was probing, yet sensitive in her search for the truth.

"I wonder if Jesus caught the program last night..."

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think on these things...

It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.
-- Mark 16:9 (NLT)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.'' This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
-- Ephesians 5:25-32 (NKJV)

Oh, Jesus IS married...to His Church!