For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great - but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31, 32)
“We are gathered today to join these two in holy matrimony,” I said to the Russian congregation.
Ivan emigrated to the United States where he met beautiful Vera. She had been abandoned by a husband back in the Soviet Union. Ivan would mend Vera’s heart, and Vera would enrapture Ivan with her aurora borealis eyes. But there was a deeper reason why they were getting married. Before I pronounced them man and wife, they asked me to explain to friends and family the true purpose for their union.
Marriage was instituted in the Garden of Eden as a mirror for the relationship within the Trinity. Throughout eternity, there has been/is/will be perfect love shared between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They fulfill each other in absolute bliss. By creating us in their image, they let us taste their relational joy.
If there is acceptance in marriage, it’s because there is infinite acceptance inside the Trinity. Why does God insist on lifelong monogamy? Because he wants for us the absolute faithfulness enjoyed between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Children spring from our marriages because creation births from the blessed union within the Holy Trinity, and we mirror them. Security, companionship, and passion belong to us because they belong to them.
Ivan and Vera’s marriage was doomed if they thought their purpose was to satisfy each other’s deepest longings. No spouse can give what only comes from God. Vera and Ivan knew that. So they wanted me to tell the witnesses they were only mirrors. Their ambition was to reflect the union forever celebrated inside the Godhead. That’s why they came together, and it’s why their marriage is a success.
Prayer: Heavenly groom, use my life to reflect your unity and love.