God Cares About Your Marriage and Family

When two different people are joined together as husband and wife, sometimes the process of becoming one and navigating through the difficulties of life is challenging.   However, God provides a spiritual GPS to guide us successfully into a lifetime of victory.

The spiritual GPS that guides us is God's Word, the Bible.  In the Gospel according to St. John 2:1-12, we see Jesus Christ's appearance at a wedding in Cana.  Wine (naturally fermented, undistilled, and often diluted, Greek word "oinos") was used to celebrate the marriage ceremony and events. When there was no more wine, Jesus' mother called upon Him for assistance, saying to others, "Do whatever he tells you." Jesus then took six jars used for purification/washing and miraculously created wine for use at the wedding.  The master of the banquet was surprised that the best wine was saved for last.

This account teaches us first that Jesus identifies with the institution of marriage and the family, and that as we present our needs to Him, however big or small they may seem, He will supply those needs.  We also learn that obedience to the Word of God is vital for our success in marriage.

In the account, the phrase "Do whatever he tells you" teaches us that in our lives, we must not dismiss God from our marriage, from our romance, or from our relationship with our children, but rather learn and apply the Word of God in all these areas.  In the account, the water containers used for purification represent our attempts to be pure in our marriages.  Our efforts often fail and our hearts become empty.  The wine represents God coming into our lives to empower and enhance our marriages, giving us power to successfully navigate through life's challenges.  

Even though many marriages may be exhausted, empty and void because of infidelity, lack of romance, financial ruin, or disobedient children, Christ is able to fill it with the "new wine" of His righteousness and grace, thus giving life to all of those areas, and giving us power to deal with what we otherwise could not handle.  Regardless of how long we have experienced emptiness in any area of life, Jesus Christ has "saved the best for last" and is able to revitalize our lives.

Finally, marriage is also highlighted in Scripture because the covenant and commitment involved in human marriage is a symbol of the greater covenant and commitment between God and his people (see Ephesians 5:21-33).  Although feelings often accompany both, they are nevertheless based upon a covenant, decision, and the will of those involved.  They are also similar because, like the human engagement and wedding ceremony, God's people who are betrothed to Him, will one day appear at a spiritual banquet in heaven in celebration of our ultimate and eternal union with God through Christ Jesus, to which all are invited who believe, commit and trust in Christ Jesus.