+ Wedding of James and Amanda Stallings. June 16th, 2012 +
Ecc. 4:9-12; Philippians 4:4-13; John 15:1-13
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
Solomon was right; two
are better than one.
That’s the way it was
in the beginning before the Fall into sin. God and man united in perfect communion.
But when Adam searched the garden he found no suitable companion. And though
God’s creation was “very good” it was very not-good for Adam to be alone.
He was incomplete. Something – or rather someone – was missing.
So, God made Eve, built
a bride for Adam out of flesh and bone. All while Adam was sleeping. This is
how God works in marriage and salvation. God gives and you receive. Unmerited.
Undeserving. Unconditionally.
No wonder Adam’s cries
out in exclamation: “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” Adam
was no longer alone. The lovely creature standing before Adam was made from his
very flesh. Different, but the same; a perfect complement. And they were better
together than they were alone.
So it is for James and
Amanda. They are as incomplete without each other as someone walking around
without their own head. Amanda said as much in pre-marriage counseling one day.
“He gives me my left-brain and I give him my right brain.”
What a marvelous
image. A perfect pair. Giving what the other lacks and needs. As wonderful as
these two people are separately, they are far better together than
alone. For it not just your brains that you give to one another today –
although both of you have plenty of brains to share – but your entire life.
James, God gives you
Amanda, your Eve, your life and your very own flesh. Different from you, but a
perfect complement. A perfect pair. And greater love has no husband than this,
that he lay down his life, as well as live, for his wife. That is the way
husbands love – laying down their life and living for their bride as Christ
laid down his life for the Church.
Amanda, abide in this
love like a branch to a vine. Receive and respond with this love. For the love
that James gives to you was first given to him by Christ. Amanda, God gives you
James, your Adam. He is different from you, but a perfect companion. There’s no
need to command Amanda to love James in return. She does it freely, joyfully, as
easily as breathing.
And yet it is not good
for James and Amanda to be alone.
For there will be days
when you will not think about whatever is honorable, just, pure or lovely.
There will be days when you will fail to do what is commendable, excellent and
worthy of praise as St. Paul encourages us to do. You will sin against each
other, it’s inevitable.
And that is why it is
not good for James and Amanda to be alone. Because if James and Amanda are one
flesh, they too are in need of a helper. Someone to complete the pair.
That someone is Jesus.
For as many things as you do for each other, there is nothing better than what
Christ has done for you on the cross.
For all the times you
will fail to live up to your marriage vows, Christ never fails to live up to
His promises for you. For all the times you fail to be the perfect spouse,
Christ’s perfection will cover up your sins and failures. He forgives you
without fail. James and Amanda love each other because Christ first loved them.
Although you make your
vows today, it is Christ who has and holds you from this day forward, for
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health; He will never leave you, never
abandon you. He has pledged you his faithfulness.
As the Father has
loved me,” Jesus says, “so have I loved you.” And greater love has no one than
this, that Christ lay down his life in behalf of his friends. Jesus is the Vine
to your branch. We, together with James and Amanda, abide in the love of Christ
Crucified. And united together in Christ we are better than we ever could be
alone.
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
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