Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 64:15-65:2; Luke 2:41-52

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The gift of marriage between a man and a woman is a paradigm of the relationship Christ has with His holy bride.  As we begin to close out the season of Christmas we are drawn once again to the manger where our savior is laid.  In the manger is the church’s groom who has come to redeem her and bring to her everlasting life.  

The world around us delivers to us a perverse understanding of marriage.  Sin has corrupted the beautiful gift of husband and wife living as God intended.  Marriage is no longer held in high esteem rather it is seen as a cumbersome relationship where contracts are entered into before any vows are made to one another.  Marriage is for convenience and the gratification of one’s desires and not for the mutual love towards a man and woman.  In many parts of the world marriage is no longer considered a part of the lives of the people.  The gift of marriage that God instituted has become a trinket of glamor and selfish adoration focused primarily on the wedding itself.  

Paul directs his hearers at the church of Colossi to uphold marriage as God had intended.  It is a relationship between a man and woman that is formed under the order of creation.  God gave Eve to Adam as his wife.  The two are to become one.  The relationship between Adam and Eve is not a relationship of control and demeaning behaviors but one of love and servitude.  Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph 5).  Husbands are not bitter towards their wives but rather protect them, provide for them, and procreate with them.  The husband stands between his wife and the adversary just as Christ does on the cross.  As God exacts His judgment upon His Son for all the sins of the world our Holy Groom stood between us and that wrath.  He took the wrath of God upon himself that we may be given life.  He presents us Holy and blameless without blemish before His Father in Heaven.  His robe of righteousness covers His Holy Bride.  When we fail, He does not become bitter and cast us off, rather He draws us in and washes the stain of sin through Holy Absolution. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.