The Bachelor - Jason Mesnick Encounters Jesus

Last night, Jason Mesnick visited the home towns of his four girls left standing - Jillian, Molly, Naomi and Melissa. And some surprise questions came up at Naomi's house.

Jillian's and Molly's family were all about fun. Both families were highly entertaining to watch (are they always like that?) and put Jason at ease. But during the visit to Naomi's home town, Jason was faced with her divorced parents, Hector and Joanne, who had differing viewpoints on the issue of spirituality. It was surprising that this footage did not end up on the cutting room floor during editing, because religion can be such a volatile topic. But it turned out to produce some worthwhile soul searching.

Jason had the opportunity to chat with Naomi's father, Hector, who admitted that he wasn't proud of being divorced from Naomi's mother. Then he bravely lowered a boom - that he had turned his life around by being devoted to God and a deep belief in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, and the pathway to God (John 14:6). And he asked Jason how he felt about that.

Hector was following Jesus' simplest message - for believers to tell others about Him (Matthew 28:19-20), and to take care in how they treat outsiders while making the most of every opportunity to tell them about the love of God (Colossians 4:5). This is the true Christian's task. And he did it very nicely with Jason.

Jason's facial expression changed to one of bewilderment. How does one answer in that situation? On camera? Jason is such a nice guy, he didn't want to accept or reject what Hector was saying, and perhaps didn't want to express his own religious beliefs on television. But it appeared this wasn't something Jason had thought about deeply in relationship to choosing one of these girls as a wife.

When Jason spoke with Naomi's mom Joanne, she gave a different viewpoint. She told Jason she believes in reincarnation and past lives. This wouldn't happen in Christianity, because when you die your soul goes to be with God for eternity, and is joined by your body "perfected" in Christ to remain in Heaven praising the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Wow. Talk about opposites! Joanne then asked Jason what he thinks of reincarnation. He sighed and answered diplomatically, "I think anything's possible."

During Hector's heart-to-heart with Naomi, she told him she doesn't care whether or not a person believes in God; that her love for someone will be enough. Will it?

This TV show brought up something very important - that couples do not even talk about their spiritual beliefs before they get serious. In fact, having been Ministry Assistant to a Pastor for six years - I can tell you that there are three important things couples often don't discuss prior to marriage counseling: Religion, Finances, and Having Children. Any of these three things can be a marriage maker or breaker.

Interfaith marriages can come with problems. In both the Old Testament for Jewish people (Exodus 34:15-17 and more) and the New Testament for Christians (2 Corinthians 6:14), God advises us to only be linked in mariage with people of our own beliefs. Lots of times, varying religions lead the couple to either drop both faiths or observe both faiths. Conflicts arise with schedules and observances, and kids can become confused. Pretty soon, either an individual or the entire family has lost the faith that once kept them grounded.

This was one worthwhile conversation that may have been missing from the usual equation in past "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" seasons, and could be a contributing factor to the failure of most of the engagements.

At the end of the night Jason sent Naomi away, choosing the other three girls to stay. I hope Jason thinks about this deeply in finally choosing a bride.

I'd like to share some steps that helped my husband and I build a great marriage. See my article, "7 Politically Incorrect Steps to a Lasting Marriage".