0n March 31, 2001, brethren and sisters and other invited guests from all over the island, and even foreign countries, gathered on the beach of the Blue Marlin Villas at Great Bay in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica to witness the marriage of two people in the household of faith. The lush green plants, trees and colorful flowers seemed to form a unique background to enhance this lovely occasion.
Bro. Andrew Bass ford, who was in charge of the marriage ceremony, ably reminded bride and groom of the solemn vows they were making before God and man. These were binding them together as one, and must continue to do so all the days of their lives. The interesting display of the telephone system organized by Bro. Andrew depicted the high level of communication that should exist between the bride and groom as they walked hand in hand toward the Kingdom.
Members of each ecclesia present took turns in taking photographs with the bride and groom. Then it was time for the reception, made cheery and humorous by Bro. Bobby Matthews. The toasts given were encouraging and entertaining.
In replying to all that was said and done on their behalf, the groom thanked everyone for coming and making the day so special. There was an outburst of laughter and clapping when the groom said that when he first saw his bride he immediately felt attracted to her. He prayed God would do something to show him that this charming young lady would be his wife. He had waited patiently on the Lord for this day. Just then she started to sing and it was like an electrical current passing through his body. That was sign enough! His wait was over.
“Marriage should be honoured by all” (Heb. 13:4). The Lord Jesus himself set the example. We are told it was when he went to a wedding that “he thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him” (John 2:11). John the Baptist calls Jesus “the bridegroom” and adds, “the bride belongs to the bridegroom.” John uses a wedding scene to describe his own relationship to Jesus, the bridegroom. He describes marriage as “full of joy” (3:29-30). In his letter to the Ephesian believers, the apostle Paul takes up John’s idea and beautifully elaborates upon it (Eph. 5:22-33). He calls marriage “a profound mystery,” and every happily married brother and sister will surely agree with him!
In today’s secular, ungodly world, marriage is not “honored by all.” Far from it. It is becoming more and more a marginal part of social life, not treated with any seriousness, and to be put off and delayed until “convenient.” It is certainly not considered fundamental to life and procreation.
Peer pressure can affect us deeply, so that self-doubt replaces faith. Sadly, for reasons that are hard to define, many of us in the truth feel safer following the world’s standard. There is a great challenge before our young people: to set a totally different standard from our contemporaries. We should marry for godliness, not “romance.” Being “in love” is not just that “electrical current” that our recent bridegroom spoke of. It is a lifelong commitment to true love, which is caring, and to a godly life lived together in body and spirit.
May God who instituted the first marriage in Eden bless you, dear Bro. Devon and Sis. Christine Walker, as you live your new life together in the Lord.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One