‘Tis The Season

This summer Diane and I have been part of number of weddings. Most of them I have officiated or been a participant in the ceremony, but we were at a wedding last weekend where I was a total observer.  All of the weddings were well-planned and beautiful.  To me, it is especially rewarding when a couple is absolutely, irrevocably committed to having Christ at the center of their marriage.

I spent some time thinking back over the weddings I have officiated in the last several years.  One that sticks out in my mind was the wedding of Sierra Barnett and Ben Jackson. (Members of our JOY group will recall that Sierra provided a musical program for them for Valentine’s Day a couple of years ago. Ben and Sierra both have careers in the performing arts.)  Their ceremony was during Covid, and so there were some hoops to jump through to get it done.  What I most appreciated was their emphasis on Christ being at the center.  I went back through some cursory notes and reconstructed what I had the privilege of saying to them before they launched into their vows, etc.  To me, this describes some of what it means for Christ to be the focus as a couple begins their married life.

Ben and Sierra, you have waited a long time for this day. I have been excited about this day as well because it is an honor the officiate the wedding of a couple that is completely committed to Jesus Christ and want to live their married life for His glory.

So that all of us in the audience today are on the same page – the apostle John, in I John 4, gives a beautiful summary of the gospel, the good news from God. I John 4:9-10 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for our sins only but for the sins of the entire world.”

This is the gospel that Ben and Sierra and many of us in this room have believed and accepted. Jesus is both Savior and Lord and we are committed to him.  We understand that out of that commitment, Ben and Sierra want to have a marriage that is completely centered on Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:15-20, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

That Scripture provides a beautiful explanation of Jesus – his person and work. These verses also give us the keys to a truly Christ-centered marriage – 

Jesus must be in complete control. The perfect picture of God is Jesus.  He is the originator and orchestrator of our lives.  All creation bows down to Jesus – and we must yield to Jesus every day of our lives – and every day of our married lives.  In a Christian marriage, there is never a debate about who is in charge. It’s pre-determined – Jesus is in charge.

Jesus holds it all together. The apostle Paul literally says that Jesus is the glue that holds everything together. It is another message, but we could spend time talking about what is wrong with our society today. Our world is falling apart and reeling out of control because Jesus the glue that holds everything together is being systematically removed from our society. No matter how much we love each other, it will not always be smooth sailing. Jesus will be the glue that holds you together.

Jesus must have the supremacy.  Please make certain that Jesus is supreme as you determine priorities, make decisions, speak to each other, and relate to others.  Jesus above all.  Put Jesus first, where he belongs, and other things will tend to fall into place. Verse 19 helps us understand our need to help as many as possible be reconciled to God through Christ.  One of your primary tools in doing that will be your happy marriage.  People sit up and take notice of a couple that has learned to live well together.

We are excited for the ways that the Lord Jesus will use your lives as husband and wife.

If the Lord gives you the opportunity to speak into the lives of couples that are contemplating marriage, I urge you to use that opportunity well.  Encourage them to be totally devoted to Jesus Christ in their lives and marriage. By the way, Ben and Sierra are doing great and the Lord is blessing their married life.  (Below is a photo of Ben, Sierra, Sierra’s parents, Jim and Irene Barnett, and Sierra’s aunt Pauline. Sierra is performing on the road this summer.)