Wedding Light
I have been reading Jared Wilson's The Wonder-Working God: Seeing the Glory of Jesus in His Miracles, and was struck by this brief passage in his chapter on the wedding at Cana:
Since the Bible's great story of redemption begins with a wedding (Gen. 2:22-24) and ends with a wedding (Rev. 19:6-9), it makes sense that Christ commences his public ministry at a wedding. Marriage becomes a dominant image representing God's love for his people, and thus the image of the groom finally joining his bride becomes emblematic of Christ's coming for his church and even the kingdom's joyous (re)union with creation.
It is perhaps this latter image that John has most in mind in his Gospel, as he begins with a glorious echo of creation:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5) [The Wonder-Working God, p. 38]
I just love this picture of Christ--ushering in the Kingdom and pointing to a future where the bride is with her Groom, and creation is set to right. Throughout John's gospel account he refers to Jesus (and quotes Jesus as referring to Himself) as the Light of the world. It is this Light who shines in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit, to show us what God is like. It is this Light who invades our own darkness and floods it with the brilliance and radiance of His own glory. It is this Light who can open the eyes of the friends and family you are praying for today. It is this Light who can reveal the next step. It is this Light who keeps us permanently from walking in darkness (He says we will never walk in darkness once we have believed).
I pray this is an encouragement to others, as it has been to me today. I love the idea of light as a symbol--reflecting the true Light. Whether it's in a wedding ceremony or reception, or in the haven of our own homes, may the light of Christ shine to the praise of His glory and the joy of our neighbors.