It happened in Boston more than 30 years ago. Joseph Salvati, then 35 years old, was accused of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. One problem: he wasn’t guilty. He spent 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

But the most captivating part of the story was when Joseph spoke to his wife, Marie, about getting a divorce. "If you want one, I won’t contest it," he told her. "I’m not in here for a year or two. This is for the rest of my life."

"Are you crazy?" Marie responded. "I took a vow for better or for worse. We love each other." She visited him every weekend. He sent her a greeting card every week by saving up the 15 cents-a-day wages he got in prison (Reader’s Digest, March 2008, p. 125).

I’m not sure how religious Joseph and Marie were, but I am sure that what they did for 30 years is what God wants. Marriage is for life. Marriage is first and foremost a commitment by two people. Marriage is for better or for worse. I can’t imagine how much worse it could get for Marie to be separated from her husband for 30 years and to have to raise and support four young children by herself. Was it difficult? Yes. Was it what she had dreamed about when she got married? No. But she made a commitment she intended to keep.

As Christians we need to think carefully about what marriage is. Jesus said it clearly to the loophole-seeking Pharisees when he reminded them, "What God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6). Marriage is a commitment before God. It is his institution. When two people make that commitment, God is joining them together for life—no matter what. The only exception is “marital unfaithfulness” (Matthew 19:9). That’s not, “We don’t get along.” It’s not, “She/he isn’t attractive anymore.” It’s not, “The love just isn’t there like it was before.”

Is marriage a wonderful thing? Yes. Is it often strained and difficult? Yes. We live in an imperfect world that puts health, governmental, societal, and psychological pressures on marriages. Also two people who make such a commitment to each other are sinful human beings with selfish natures and naturally unforgiving hearts. Such a commitment in the face of such human weaknesses and failings is difficult without eyes that look to the cross of Jesus and the empty tomb of our Savior.