"Taking the plunge into the depths of holy matrimony with Jesus"

01. June 2024
Wedding of Mason and Kayla Ksioszk
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; John 2:1-11

Grace to you and peace in the Name of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Well, here we are, gathered together on this holy day to witness the union of two sinners who have decided to plunge into the depths of holy matrimony. And that’s no small thing. It’s not easy either. The stress of the last months and weeks, all preparing for this moment, is probably already forgotten. I doubt we’re going to run out of wine today. But new and different and even more difficult challenges will come. All the little things covered by this moment's rapture will bubble up as the emotions cool. Little things might become big things. And as we all know too well, big things can become heartbreaking and even marriage-breaking.

You see, marriage is not for the faint of heart. It’s not for those who want a quiet, peaceful life. No, marriage is a wild ride that takes you on a trip full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and sometimes even tragedy. But today, you’re committing to the work without fail, and you’ll find the rewards worth the risk. God, the Holy Trinity, created us male and female and designed us for marriage. Within what God makes and God gives is His comfort and promised blessings. It’s not good for anyone to be alone or face temptation, loss, or attack alone. 

Marriage can be a gift received for this good, or it can be transformed for evil. It can bring joy and happiness to those who wield it with care and respect or destroy everything in its path if mishandled. But since you’re willing to trust in Jesus Christ to guide you, you’ll find that God’s gift of marriage is a powerful tool for good. I’m still astounded that the LORD Jesus guided you into our little fellowship of sinner-saints in Sherman Center. You’ve learned to confess the faith, receive His Word, and let His love have its way with you. With Jesus to protect and guide you, your marriage will be sustained and preserved under His mighty hand.

Jesus Christ is the only one who gives us direction and purpose. And when two sinners come together in holy matrimony, they essentially say that they’re not trusting each other to honor their marriage vows alone; they’re trusting Jesus Christ to guide them through life together. They’re saying they’re all-in on trusting the power of God’s love to keep their marriage safe and secure.

But make no mistake, my friends. Marriage is not for everyone. We know marriages that faltered and failed. We know the assaults of the world, the devil, and our flesh’s lusts against marital fidelity. It takes a certain type of person to handle the responsibility that comes with it. It takes someone willing to put their own needs aside for the sake of their beloved. It takes someone willing to fight for their marriage, even when it gets tough. 

When I say fight, I don't mean violence, although sometimes it feels like you're in the middle of a battle zone. Or maybe it's more like something Mason knows well: wrestling. I'm talking about the kind of wrestling that takes place within your own heart and mind. The kind of wrestling that requires you to pray that Christ Jesus gives you the strength to keep going, especially when everything inside you is telling you to give up. 

Mason and Kayla, flawed and imperfect as they may be (although I know nothing), have found something worth fighting for in each other. They have found love that is not just a feeling but a choice—a choice to forgive, support, encourage, and sacrifice for the other. And, again, that’s no small thing. Marriage is not just about two people coming together in harmony. It’s about the collision of two worlds, the clash of two egos, and the merging of two destinies. It’s a dangerous dance, a wild ride, a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. It’s a trip that tests your strength, patience, and faith.

But it’s also a trip undertaken in Christ, and with him steering your marriage in the right direction, it will reward you with an unparalleled depth of love and connection. Because when two people choose to take up the challenge of marriage, they are saying to God, each other, and the world that they are willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. With the help of God, each other, and hopefully others, they will fight for each other, stand by each other, and hold each other up when the world comes crashing down.

And so, as we witness the union of these two sinners who have decided to plunge into the depths of holy matrimony, let us remember that marriage is not just a piece of paper or a legal contract. It is a sacred bond, a spiritual connection, and an act of God’s divine love that brings us all together. And in this love of God, may you find joy and fulfillment in each other, today and always, in this life and the next. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
St. John Ev. Lutheran Church & School - Sherman Center
Random Lake, Wisconsin