We are gathered here to celebrate! To celebrate with Josh and Bethany and to celebrate God’s gift of marriage.
The scriptures have much to say about marriage. In Mark 10:6-8, Jesus said, “From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.”
This tells us that marriage comes from God, and speaks of the essence of marriage – two becoming one.
But I would like for us to focus on a second text, one that speaks to the love that is necessary for – two to truly become one. I would like to share some thoughts with you under the title – “Love as Jesus Loved.”
This comes to us from John 13:34, where Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
There is much that is shallow, fleeting and self-absorbed that passes for love today. We see this in the world around us.
But for the Christian – it is Jesus who defines for us the meaning of love, through his teaching and his example. So we look at how Jesus loved us, and then we know how to love one another.
And Bethany and Josh – this includes how you are to love one another in your shared life together.
First of all, Jesus shows us that love is about caring for one another’s needs
He demonstrated compassion, which moved him to help, for instance:
- two blind men – whom he healed (Matthew 20:34)
- a crowd – whom he fed (Matthew 15:32)
- a leper – whom he cleansed (Mark 1:41)
- and a widow whose son had just died – he raised him from the dead (Luke 7:13)
And Jesus was gentle and kind in how he treated us. Matthew 12:20 speaks of him as one who would not break a bruised reed, or quench a smoldering wick.
Jesus cared for our needs and concerns, and he calls you to do the same in your new life together. Be compassionate, kind and gentle with one another. Care for each others needs, just as Jesus has cared for you
Second, Jesus shows us that love is about sacrificial giving
The story of Jesus is a story of self-sacrifice:
- Jesus himself said, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
- John talks about how Jesus “laid down his life for us.” (I John 3:16)
- Jesus gave of himself to us – sacrificially – by humbling himself, coming to us and serving us.
- And Jesus gave of himself to us – sacrificially – by dying for us.
The apostle Paul picks up on this in Ephesians 5:25 and applies it to marriage, when he says, “Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” And the same can be said to the wife –
And so I say to you both – sacrifice for each other, lay down your lives for each other, just as Jesus gave of himself and sacrificed for you.
Finally, Jesus shows us that love is about deep commitment
For many, love is an emotion. It is based on how we feel about another person. And these feelings change according to the circumstances we are in; and over the course of time.
But Jesus shows us that love has to do with commitment. An unending commitment to the well being of the other person – even when it gets tough.
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus struggled. He asked God, “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39). And when there wasn’t another way to help us, he stayed true to his love for us and died on the cross.
Jesus’ commitment to us was unyielding. His love for us was steadfast. In the same way I say to you – love each other with steadfast love and deep commitment, just as Jesus loved you with an unending love.
My prayer for you is that you will not only receive this model of love that Jesus demonstrates for us, but that you will receive from God’s Spirit the power to put this into practice in your lives together. May God bless you in this.
William Higgins
