7/27/2019 Epiphany 2 (1883)

1/2

Second Sunday after Epiphany (1883)

John 2:1-11

All the counsel of God is a riddle to people of the world. That is why they also do not

understand the intention that God has in terms of the cross in holy matrimony. It goes badly in

marriage, it gets dark around them, then they judge and act according to the blindness of their

hearts. They grumble, they argue and bicker. Some men reach for the glass, they are drunkards

and the women are disorderly. Some break up without further ado or divorce. Many actually

commit suicide, etc. God truly has a different purpose in the cross of the estate of marriage.

This is recognized by the faithful by His grace, and the cross hands salvation to them.

Why is the cross of the estate of marriage of Christians for the best?

1. they recognize God's gracious counsel and will in it;a. holy matrimony cannot possibly be indifferent to the Lord. Wonderfully, soon after

the commencement of His public ministry He is present at a wedding. His mother, His

disciples were there, too. Reason: Marriage is God's order. Marriages that are

marriages, are settled in heaven. God does not cry out in vain all over the world in

the sixth commandment, "You shall not commit adultery."

b. that is why a Christian thinks: As a husband here I live in a holy status, according to

God's counsel and will. As there in Cana, God, etc. is in my family. God's eye rests on

my marriage with pleasure.

c. therefore, should the cross of marriage "accidentally" come without God's counsel

and will? Was it coincidence that wine lacked at that wedding in Cana? No. "My hourhas not yet come." The Lord here reveals His counsel and will. "The path - would I

oppose it? My heavenly Father chose it"1;

2. they experience God's help in it;

a. "they have no wine", with these words Mary brings the need of the bride and groom

before the Lord and at the same time asks Him in order to avoid it. So we Christians

also may, when the cross squeezes in the married estate, stand before the Lord with

our need and confidently ask for help. In sickness, in all distresses we may pray:

"Lord, we have no health, bread, food" etc.;

b. the Lord perhaps from time to time tarries the increase - from wise reasons, but

c. the hour has struck, help certainly comes as it came at Cana. The promise;

3. therefore they see His glory,

1KELG 329:3.

7/27/2019 Epiphany 2 (1883)

2/2

a. in Cana began the day: the Lord is a mercifulLord. He knows not only His own, but it

goes to His heart. If it looks as if He does not look after the needs of Christians, then

this is only an illusion;

b. the Lord is a richLord. He gives abundantly, above asking and understanding;

c. the Lord is an almightyLord. He can help through miracles.

Thus Christians see under the cross in marriage the glory of their Lord as the Merciful,

the Rich, and the Almighty One. They recognize His glory as the only-begotten Son of the

Father. In this knowledge they are joyful.

Georg Link