God’s plan is to give man & woman to each other. This means one man & one woman for their whole life. It means we ask for God’s help and guidance in finding a husband or wife who will share in the Lord’s Work together with us. The giving is by vows and promises that they will be and remain husband & wife for all their life. God’s plan is that husband and wife devote themselves to each other. Paul quoted the verse from Genesis, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,” and then he said, “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Husband & wife loving, devoting themselves to each other and sacrificing for each other is a part of the preaching of Jesus’ birth and His Cross. (Read Philippians 2:3-11 and read the 1st verse of “The Church’s One Foundation”) In addition, from the roots of human beginnings – the Love, Devotion, and Faithfulness within marriage is part of how God shows His image in us. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The love and devotion of husband & wife to each other teaches us something of the relationships within the Trinity. God’s plan is that marriage should create a place of safety for bringing children into the world and caring for them as they grow up. The greatest duty of parents is not to provide material blessings, food & shelter, but to raise their children to know God, and to live their lives before God in faith, prayer, worship, love and mercy. Moses said, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV) Paul said that we are to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:5) The reason for these things is because of who we are; that we are created in the image of God. There is a value here. It’s called modesty. It is the understanding that we live our moral life, our inner life, and our love life in the presence of God. All these things are part of God’s call to you to walk with Him in eternal life.
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HIS OFFICE – THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST Jesus was anointed. Both “Christ” (in the New Testament) and “Messiah” (in the Old Testament) mean “anointed.” Anointing was done in the Old Testament using oil that was poured over the head, and not just a little dab. “It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.” Psalm 133:2-3 Anointing was for those entering one of three offices in the Old Testament: Prophet, Priest, and King. It was always so that the person anointed could serve others. A Symbolic Part: the oil used in anointing represents the Holy Spirit. Oil was used for light. Oil lamps had a wick that would burn and give light like a candle. Think of the tongues of fire that appeared over the disciples’ heads on the day of Pentecost. In the Old Testament when the oil was poured over the head of one to be anointed the Spirit also was poured out so that person could serve God’s people. Prophets, priests and kings each served in specific ways. Jesus was anointed without measure, to serve as our Prophet, Priest and King. |
Rev. Mark WilligPastor Willig is pastor emeritus of Friends in Christ Lutheran Church. Archives
December 2023
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