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Jesus Attends a Wedding
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In both the Old and New Testaments, marriage represents the
tender and sacred union that exists between Christ and His people. To
the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding pointed to the rejoicing
of that day when He shall bring home His bride, the redeemed, to
the Father’s house. “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so
shall thy God rejoice over thee.” “He will rejoice over thee with
joy; ... He will joy over thee with singing.”
Isaiah 62:5
;
Zephaniah
3:17
. John the apostle wrote: “I heard as it were the voice of a great
multitude, ... saying, ... Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to
Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made
herself ready.”
Revelation 19:6, 7
.
Jesus reached the hearts of the people by going among them as
one who desired their good. He sought them in the streets, in private
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houses, on boats, in synagogues, by the shores of the lake, and at the
marriage feast. He manifested interest in their secular affairs. His
strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts. Solitary prayer in
the mountains was a preparation for His labor among men in active
life. From these seasons He came forth to relieve the sick and to
break the chains from the captives of Satan.
By personal contact and association Jesus trained His disciples.
Sometimes sitting on the mountainside, sometimes beside the sea,
or walking with them by the way, He taught the mysteries of the
kingdom of God. He did not sermonize. He did not command His
disciples to do this or that, but said, “Follow Me.” On His journeys
He took them with Him, that they might see how He taught the
people.
The example of Christ should be followed by all who preach His
Word. We should not seclude ourselves, but must meet all classes
where they are. Not alone from the pulpit are the hearts of men
touched by divine truth. Another field of labor, fully as promising,
is in the home of the lowly, in the mansion of the great, and in
gatherings for innocent social enjoyment.
We shall not mingle with the world to unite with them in folly.
We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds,
our silence or our presence. Wherever we go, we are to carry Jesus
with us. We should all become witnesses for Jesus. Social power,
sanctified by the grace of Christ, must be improved in winning souls.
Let the world see that we desire others to share our blessings and