Susan and I had a beautiful summer! Taylor and Emma were married on May 28 and Kinsey and Jordan were married on July 3! Our family is expanding!!
Shortly after his wedding Taylor said, “Dad, you know how God says he makes husband and wife one? I’m not sure I totally understand it, but I think He does the same thing for us in relationship to Jesus. I was driving home the other day and God showed me this and it was kind of overwhelming.”
Paul reveals this truth after he quotes Genesis in his letter to the Ephesians: “‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32)
“I and the Father are one.” This was the secret of Jesus’ life on earth. “The Father is greater than I and I do exactly what He says. It is the Father living in me who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (read John 14) Being ‘one with God’ was the blessing Jesus treasured above all things. What man thought did not matter; traditions of religion carried no weight; personal glory was not the goal. “I love my Father and He loves me. I trust him completely and do everything He tells me to do.”
Can you and I live this way? Only if we humble ourselves and depend on the Holy Spirit to lead us. As Jesus had fellowship with his Father in Heaven so we are to have fellowship with the Savior of the world. I can’t tell my son everything it means to be one with his new bride, but I can share a little advice: “Love her, Taylor… and not just with words. Resist the ‘busy-ness’ of this world and spend time with Emma. Give up self for the one you married.”
And the Father says, “Love Jesus, Dana… and not just with words. Resist the ‘busy-ness’ of this world and spend time with my Son. Give up self for the One who saved you.”
“Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:23-27
“I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23