October 20, 2017 - - Ephesians 6:22-23, 25 Marriage in Christ

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.
Ephesians 6:22-23, 25 NKJV

These words take on renewed depth and meaning as Carolyn and I will witness the marriage of our daughter Elayna to Owen. The wedding will take place, D.V. (the Lord willing) on Saturday in Strathroy. What a precious picture: Christ gave Himself up for His bride, the Church--going all the way to death in order to redeem for Himself a Bride and to bring glory to the Father by His work of reconciliation.

In the strength of the Holy Spirit a man and a woman live in love, enduring difficult times and rejoicing in good times, knowing through this process they are being fitted for eternity with our God. And, knowing that marriage, between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, models the beautiful picture of Jesus' love for His Church.

Thank You, God of Love and Wisdom for the blessing of marriage. For those who witness the ceremony and are themselves already married, may they be re-affirmed in their love for You and their commitment to walk faithfully with one another. For those who witness the ceremony and are themselves struggling in marriage and experiencing pain, may the Spirit of God give the grace necessary to continue and to find in Christ all that is needed for restoration and healing. For those who witness the ceremony and are single by circumstance or choice, bind us all together once again in the realization that in Jesus Christ we are one family. For the couple, Elayna and Owen, let mystery, love and light of true Christian marriage unfold for them in ever greater measure from their wedding day onwards, to the glory of our God and King. Amen.