Home

Weekly Devotional

June 10, 2008
 

God’s Peace be with you all.

Matthew 22:1-4   Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying:  ² "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.  ³ He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.  ⁴ Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.'

            Most of you know that when Carrie and I were at the beach in March I came home without something that is very important to me.  While we were there, I lost my wedding ring.  As of this past Saturday, I finally have replaced it with another one.  I cannot begin to express how much I have missed this symbol of love being on my finger.  However, to me, it is more than just a symbol.

            Marriage is one of the touchiest subjects in the church and world today.  Some say that marriage can be between only men and women.  Some say marriage can be two persons of the same gender.  We could have a debate on this subject forever. However, I don’t want to focus on that part of marriage.  Instead, I want to focus on what marriage incorporates.

            The ELCA has not issued a Social Statement on Marriage, but does incorporate some information about marriage in the Sexuality Statement.  The ELCA says that “In marriage, two persons become "one flesh" (Gen. 2:24; Mt. 19:4-6; Mk. 10:6-9; Eph. 5:31), a union that embodies God's loving purpose to create and enrich life. By the gift of marriage God "founded human community in a joy that begins now and is brought to perfection in the life to come."”  So to simplify that statement, God created marriage for the purpose of relationship.  That relationship is not only through the two being married, but also between God and God’s people.  I hope now you can see why wearing a wedding ring is so important to me.  Not only is it a symbol of the love that Carrie and I have for each other, but it is a constant reminder to me that God is at work in my life, leading me in the right directions.  Being loved and accepted by God first allows me to share that love and acceptance with others.  Marriage is one of the means through which we do this. 

But we must careful not to exclude those that are not married.  The ELCA also makes itself clear on this issue, that the love of God given through marriage is also shared with individuals who never marry.  The ELCA states “The purpose of marriage goes beyond the intimacy and companionship it provides the couple. The wider community is symbolically present when a couple publicly exchanges vows. Witnesses pledge to support the marriage, and those exchanging vows are reminded that their marriage will affect the wider community. They are to extend themselves for the sake of others.”  They become a part of the ceremony, helping the couple getting married to carry out and fulfill their vows.  They act as witnesses, examples, and show love and support when needed.

Like the church, marriage is a community event.  It is an event between God and the people, a covenant relationship that only gets better.  The symbols of this relationship, such as a ring, are there to remind each of us that it is God who has given us the ability to be in this relationship, and it is God to whom we must give eternal thanks.

In our prayers this week:  Linwood, Gail, and her mom, Deborah Steed, Margaret Troutman.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Judson