Weddings
During my annual winter trip to India, I enjoy the sunny days and rain-free stay from January to February. This time is ideal for weddings. This year I was invited to three weddings in my home village. Each wedding took place on a different day and very close to my house, which enabled me to attend all three celebrations. Each celebration was full of joy and lasted late into the night as the priest performed various ceremonies. On the eve of the weddings, the whole village was in a jovial mood as villagers, relatives and friends danced in circles and celebrated in perfect rhythm to the music.
The Gospel of John tells an interesting story that took place at the beginning of Jesus' ministry on earth: "On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding." (Joh 2,1-2)Jesus performed his first miracle as the Messiah at this wedding celebration.
Where did marriage originate? The first marriage took place in the Garden of Eden: “Then Adam said, ‘She is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.’” (1. Mose 2,23-24).
The marriage ceremony is a universal ritual that occurs in all peoples and tribes around the world. Each culture has developed its own traditions to celebrate marriages, whether through days-long feasts or special customs such as the payment of a dowry. I myself was blessed by God with a wonderful wife. Together we lived a fulfilling life and were blessed with three beautiful sons and four adorable grandchildren. My wife passed away a few years ago, but I will never forget the many blessings that God bestowed on us.
The first marriage between Adam and Eve was a symbolic representation of the marriage of Jesus Christ and his bride, the Church: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.” (Eph 5,25-26).
We too leave our parents to be one with Jesus Christ: “For we are members of his body. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a profound mystery, but I am referring to Christ and the church.” (Eph 5,30-32).
Marriage is ordained by God, and the perfect marriage is proclaimed in Revelation: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory, for the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. And it was given to her to clothe herself with fine, clean linen. Now linen represents the righteousness of the saints. And he said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb’” (Offb 19,7-9. Luther Bible 84).
Honor, praise and thanks be to God who has called us to be part of the glorious and perfect marriage of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever.
by Natu Moti
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