“If now I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will not find it given there… But I will find in the sacrament or Gospel the word which distributes, presents, offers, and gives to me that forgiveness which was won on the Cross.” (AE 40, 214)
St. Matthew 19: 4 - Wedding of Mary Bebee & David Walling
Christian Life Assembly, Carrollton, TX
In the name of Jesus, our Risen and Ascended Lord. Amen. What a great day for a wedding! We are in the afterglow of our Lord's Ascension Thursday.
Christ has gone through death and hell for us. Having taken on our sins, having died for our disobedience, He has risen.
Now, He has gone back to heaven. He is at the right hand of the Father. Our High Priest. Our Lord. Our Savior. Our Spokesman. Our Advocate. Our Defender.
Now no matter what the Father does, He does through His Son. He will not judge us as our sins deserve. He will not abandon us. He will not forsake us – not with His Son at His right hand.
Man has ascended to heaven. One of us is there in heaven at God’s right hand. Heaven is just right! Alleluia!
And as we await His joyful return, He has gathered us together for a wedding. This man, this woman, brought together by...MySpace?
That's what they say. Mary was looking for friends in her area. She came upon David's picture and asked to be his friend. David, as is his way, took his sweet time in replying. The rest is, well, right here before us!
Today, we learn that it wasn't MySpace. It wasn't that he was so cute. The One who did this... the only One who could bring this man and this woman together is... is the One who sits at the right hand of the Father.
What God has joined together. That's what Jesus says. He gives this man to this woman. He made this woman for this man.
Good Gifts. That's what Christ gives. He worked it all out so that you guys would get together – even using MySpace to do it. How's about Jesus, not only ascended to the right hand of the majesty and glory of God, but He even knows how to use the internet too!
And the One who brought you two together, promises to keep you two together. What He brings together, certainly no one shall divorce.
You see, there may come a time when the two of you look at each other and you think, “Not cute.” The beauty and splendor of this day may fade, the at least two kids you plan on having may distract and annoy you, and you the glow of this day may dim.
And you'll find quickly that Your love for each other won't carry this marriage through to the end. As much as you love him, Mary, it's not enough. As much as you love her, David, it's not enough.
And so what then? What happens when the warm fuzzies fade and your heart doesn't go pitty patter every time you think of each other? What then?
Then, you have Jesus at the right hand of the Father. You have the Lord of Heaven and Earth, who brought you two together this day, who promises to keep you together, who will carry you through until the day that He parts you.
The Lord's forgiveness – won for you on the Cross and delivered in the Word, the water, and His Body and Blood. That is what you need. That's what you need to center your relationship on. His gifts is what will carry you through... better or worse, sickness, health, richer, poorer – even death itself.
Now, David, you are given to be Christ in your marriage. You are to serve Mary, to love her, in the same way Christ loves the Church. Give up your life for her. Everything that you do from this day forward is to be for her.
Don't find faults with your wife as husbands so often do. The Lord doesn't do that to His church, so don't do that with your bride. When Christ looks at the church, He doesn't see her spots, wrinkles and blemishes.
Not a one. Not ever. Instead, He sees her holy, pure, glorious, without spot, wrinkles, or any such blemishes.
Be that for your wife, David. See her that way. And when sin tackles her, wash her sin away. Forgive her. Cleanse her. Always see her the same way Christ sees His Bride, the Church - through the Cross' forgiveness.
And Mary, your husband is gonna mess up. We do that. He's going to doubt. He's going to not measure up to Christ. He's going to do such things that make you wonder if he even has a brain.
Three words, “I forgive you.” Take the forgiveness won for you and give it to your husband. And that will rescue David from...well, David.
For you both always have one very important thing going for you: At the right of God is the Man Jesus. Your Savior. Your Advocate. Your Ascended Lord.
And before you know it... the Lord will call one of you to Himself. You see, where He is at the right hand of God, you too by faith are already, and will be one day soon. He will carry you both through to that day.
Since that day hasn't come yet today, I guess we should stop talking and get you two married. In just a bit there will be no more "MySpace" but "our space."
For what God joins together, let no one separate. In the name of Jesus, our Risen and Ascended Lord. Amen.