Epiphany 2 January 14, 2024
John 2:1-11
Glorious Wedding Day
V.11 This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.
Dear friends in Christ, we can plainly see from our texts for this morning that marriage is a blessed gift of God. In our liturgy for Holy Matrimony, we hear the pastor list several purposes for marriage at the beginning of the ceremony. We hear how marriage has been instituted and blessed by God: 1 - for the mutual companionship, help and support of one another in both prosperity and adversity; 2 - that husband and wife may find delight in one another’s bodies so that lust may be curbed and people may live in holiness and honor; and 3 - for the procreation of children.
To quote directly from the marriage service: “In marriage we see a picture of the communion between Christ and His bride, the Church. Our Lord blessed and honored marriage with His presence and first miracle at Cana in Galilee. This estate is also commended to us by the apostle Paul as good and honorable. Therefore, marriage is not be entered into inadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
What can we take away from all this except to say that marriage is a good thing. Though not all Christians are called to marriage, and God certainly blesses people in their singlehood, yet marriage as an institution should be uplifted by every Christian. For in and through marriage God builds family and society for the good of all–especially as husband and wife come together in support of each other to love and raise their children in the fear and love of God.
We know, beloved, how marriage is under attack in our society. We have sought to redefine marriage in terms of peoples’ feelings, wants, or desires, while ignoring God’s order of creation. Therefore, “marriages” between people of the same sex are now legal and commonplace, and there are those who are advocating for further widening the definition of marriage to include such relationships that consist between more than two people, even some going so far as to push for marriage between humans and animals or beloved objects and possessions.
On the other hand, marriage is also being dishonored for being outdated and an old-fashioned mode of life. “Who needs to be married?” they ask, “When we can simply live together for a time–have children or not–and then when we grow tired or annoyed with one another–just up and leave and start over with someone new.” Many today, both inside and outside the church, try to enjoy the benefits of marriage without the commitment that marriage requires, nor receiving the blessing of God. Simply living together and play-acting at marriage is the fad of the day, meaning children are often raised in very unstable and difficult environments, especially with the plague of divorces that separate children from their parents in their own households.
This kind of attitude towards marriage is very harmful to our entire society, but especially to the children who grow up in such difficult circumstances. For in marriage God provides and gives great blessings to all people–especially children. But we have inverted marriage to be primarily about the desires of adults, rather than about the promulgation of children. Therefore, sex reigns as king of all–and we pursue sexual gratification outside the bonds of holy marriage between one man and one woman–all of which is sin and needs to be repented of.
Beloved, how seriously does God take marriage? We see in our text that our Lord blessed the marriage at Cana in Galilee with His presence–even going so far as to perform His first miracle there–changing water into wine–that the marriage celebration would not be marred with embarrassment, but could continue with great joy and feasting. Indeed, we see the miracle of changing water into wine as a fulfillment of the prophecy from our Old Testament reading in Amos (9:13b) that in the day of the Messiah, “the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.” Truly, the blessings of the Messianic kingdom would be overflowing! The cup of joy would not just be filled to the brim, but would runneth over.
In our epistle reading today from St. Paul in Ephesians, he describes marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His church. Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. Indeed, this image is found throughout the Old Testament prophets and wisdom literature that often describes God as the husband to Israel His bride. Often, Israel would run after false gods–committing adultery against God, as it were–and yet God would patiently pursue Israel and chasten her to return to faithfulness and love.
In speaking of the roles of husbands and wives in marriage, Paul (Ephesians 5:25-26) is pretty clear that husbands are to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word…” Furthermore, that wives should submit to their own husbands even as they do to Christ, and that each wife should respect her husband as her husband loves his wife as himself. Indeed, husbands are called to love their wives in a wholly sacrificial manner–just as Christ loves His church. How much did Jesus love His church? He died for her.
Now, whether you are married or single, widowed or a victim of divorce, all Christians enjoy being in a loving relationship with Jesus as part of His bride, the church. He has sanctified you and cleansed you of all sin through the washing of water with the Word–your Baptism! You have been granted the gift of forgiveness–an absolute purity and holiness that is alien to yourself. For Christ would present you to Himself in “splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that [you] might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).
Can you imagine, beloved? Can you picture it? The stains and marks of your sins–be they degradation of marriage–your bodies and sexuality–or any other sin–are washed away in Baptism–removed by the blood of Jesus–your bridegroom–who loved you so much that He went to the cross to pay for all of your sins.
You know how men and women take great pains to carefully prepare themselves on their wedding day. Hairs are cut, plucked, or otherwise removed. Blemishes are covered over with concealer. Clothes are pressed and freshly laundered. Bodies are thoroughly washed and scented. All so that they can appear to be their very best before their beloved on that special day. And you can see the great joy this brings to the eyes of their fiancee when they see each other for the first time–smiles light up their faces–and their eyes reflect that deep love for one another.
Just so with you, dear friends. This is how our Lord Jesus looks upon each and every one of you! He has taken great pains to provide you with the very best–cleansing you with His own precious blood–wiping away every spot or stain–smoothing every wrinkle of sin and shame–it’s all removed by faith in Jesus. He who gave His life for you. Furthermore, He clothes you in His own resplendent righteousness–His perfect obedience to the Father in all things enfolds you like a beautiful robe.
Jesus promises you a life of abundant joy and blessing in His presence on the Last Day. Where the wine will never run out, but rather only perpetual joy and feasting with Him and all the faithful. Where the bride will live in neverending wonder and bliss with her bridegroom for eternity. The Holy Supper you will enjoy this day is but a foretaste of the great feast to come. You feast this day on your Lord’s own body and blood given for you in bread and wine. This forgives and cleanses you–continually preparing you for life with your Lord in glory. In the cross and the Sacrament of the Altar, Jesus manifests His glory–all so that His disciples may believe in Him. So each time we gather as the faithful in the Divine Service to receive our Lord’s gifts–it is like a rehearsal dinner for the wedding in heaven between Jesus and His church. What a glorious wedding day, indeed. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
John 2:1-11
Glorious Wedding Day
V.11 This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.
Dear friends in Christ, we can plainly see from our texts for this morning that marriage is a blessed gift of God. In our liturgy for Holy Matrimony, we hear the pastor list several purposes for marriage at the beginning of the ceremony. We hear how marriage has been instituted and blessed by God: 1 - for the mutual companionship, help and support of one another in both prosperity and adversity; 2 - that husband and wife may find delight in one another’s bodies so that lust may be curbed and people may live in holiness and honor; and 3 - for the procreation of children.
To quote directly from the marriage service: “In marriage we see a picture of the communion between Christ and His bride, the Church. Our Lord blessed and honored marriage with His presence and first miracle at Cana in Galilee. This estate is also commended to us by the apostle Paul as good and honorable. Therefore, marriage is not be entered into inadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
What can we take away from all this except to say that marriage is a good thing. Though not all Christians are called to marriage, and God certainly blesses people in their singlehood, yet marriage as an institution should be uplifted by every Christian. For in and through marriage God builds family and society for the good of all–especially as husband and wife come together in support of each other to love and raise their children in the fear and love of God.
We know, beloved, how marriage is under attack in our society. We have sought to redefine marriage in terms of peoples’ feelings, wants, or desires, while ignoring God’s order of creation. Therefore, “marriages” between people of the same sex are now legal and commonplace, and there are those who are advocating for further widening the definition of marriage to include such relationships that consist between more than two people, even some going so far as to push for marriage between humans and animals or beloved objects and possessions.
On the other hand, marriage is also being dishonored for being outdated and an old-fashioned mode of life. “Who needs to be married?” they ask, “When we can simply live together for a time–have children or not–and then when we grow tired or annoyed with one another–just up and leave and start over with someone new.” Many today, both inside and outside the church, try to enjoy the benefits of marriage without the commitment that marriage requires, nor receiving the blessing of God. Simply living together and play-acting at marriage is the fad of the day, meaning children are often raised in very unstable and difficult environments, especially with the plague of divorces that separate children from their parents in their own households.
This kind of attitude towards marriage is very harmful to our entire society, but especially to the children who grow up in such difficult circumstances. For in marriage God provides and gives great blessings to all people–especially children. But we have inverted marriage to be primarily about the desires of adults, rather than about the promulgation of children. Therefore, sex reigns as king of all–and we pursue sexual gratification outside the bonds of holy marriage between one man and one woman–all of which is sin and needs to be repented of.
Beloved, how seriously does God take marriage? We see in our text that our Lord blessed the marriage at Cana in Galilee with His presence–even going so far as to perform His first miracle there–changing water into wine–that the marriage celebration would not be marred with embarrassment, but could continue with great joy and feasting. Indeed, we see the miracle of changing water into wine as a fulfillment of the prophecy from our Old Testament reading in Amos (9:13b) that in the day of the Messiah, “the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.” Truly, the blessings of the Messianic kingdom would be overflowing! The cup of joy would not just be filled to the brim, but would runneth over.
In our epistle reading today from St. Paul in Ephesians, he describes marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His church. Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. Indeed, this image is found throughout the Old Testament prophets and wisdom literature that often describes God as the husband to Israel His bride. Often, Israel would run after false gods–committing adultery against God, as it were–and yet God would patiently pursue Israel and chasten her to return to faithfulness and love.
In speaking of the roles of husbands and wives in marriage, Paul (Ephesians 5:25-26) is pretty clear that husbands are to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word…” Furthermore, that wives should submit to their own husbands even as they do to Christ, and that each wife should respect her husband as her husband loves his wife as himself. Indeed, husbands are called to love their wives in a wholly sacrificial manner–just as Christ loves His church. How much did Jesus love His church? He died for her.
Now, whether you are married or single, widowed or a victim of divorce, all Christians enjoy being in a loving relationship with Jesus as part of His bride, the church. He has sanctified you and cleansed you of all sin through the washing of water with the Word–your Baptism! You have been granted the gift of forgiveness–an absolute purity and holiness that is alien to yourself. For Christ would present you to Himself in “splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that [you] might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).
Can you imagine, beloved? Can you picture it? The stains and marks of your sins–be they degradation of marriage–your bodies and sexuality–or any other sin–are washed away in Baptism–removed by the blood of Jesus–your bridegroom–who loved you so much that He went to the cross to pay for all of your sins.
You know how men and women take great pains to carefully prepare themselves on their wedding day. Hairs are cut, plucked, or otherwise removed. Blemishes are covered over with concealer. Clothes are pressed and freshly laundered. Bodies are thoroughly washed and scented. All so that they can appear to be their very best before their beloved on that special day. And you can see the great joy this brings to the eyes of their fiancee when they see each other for the first time–smiles light up their faces–and their eyes reflect that deep love for one another.
Just so with you, dear friends. This is how our Lord Jesus looks upon each and every one of you! He has taken great pains to provide you with the very best–cleansing you with His own precious blood–wiping away every spot or stain–smoothing every wrinkle of sin and shame–it’s all removed by faith in Jesus. He who gave His life for you. Furthermore, He clothes you in His own resplendent righteousness–His perfect obedience to the Father in all things enfolds you like a beautiful robe.
Jesus promises you a life of abundant joy and blessing in His presence on the Last Day. Where the wine will never run out, but rather only perpetual joy and feasting with Him and all the faithful. Where the bride will live in neverending wonder and bliss with her bridegroom for eternity. The Holy Supper you will enjoy this day is but a foretaste of the great feast to come. You feast this day on your Lord’s own body and blood given for you in bread and wine. This forgives and cleanses you–continually preparing you for life with your Lord in glory. In the cross and the Sacrament of the Altar, Jesus manifests His glory–all so that His disciples may believe in Him. So each time we gather as the faithful in the Divine Service to receive our Lord’s gifts–it is like a rehearsal dinner for the wedding in heaven between Jesus and His church. What a glorious wedding day, indeed. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.