When the Bible Becomes a Witness

This is what I wrote inside the family Bible our consistory and congregation gave to a special couple on their wedding day.

This is the Word of God.

If it had ears, it would hear the vows you made today, and the vows you will struggle to keep. It would hear the prayers that come easily, and the ones that come with tears. It would hear laughter in your home, and hear the grief of silence.

If it had eyes, it would see you as you are today, young, hopeful, and full of promise. It would see you older, slower, and beautified by that which only suffering and grace can make. It would see a child brought home for the first time. It would see a chair left empty. It would see a hand held in a hospital room. It would watch you learn one another across a lifetime, in all those small and hidden ways that belong only to a husband and wife.

If it could speak, it would say that you are known and loved by the One who was there before you met, who ordained this day, and who will be present in every tomorrow. It would say there is forgiveness here. Blood enough here. Mercy enough. Grace sufficient for whatever comes.

But this Book has no ears.

It has no eyes.

It does not breathe.

Or does it?

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Christ who IS the Word, hears you. He sees you. He speaks. May He never be a guest in your home. He is the Savior of sinners, the Bridegroom of His church, the Shepherd who leads through green pastures and dark valleys, the Redeemer whose blood cleanseth us from all sin.

Husband, as you take your wife across your threshold, So take the Word.

Let it live near the places where ordinary life happens.

Open it when joy is easy.

Open it when obedience is costly.

Open it when sin must be confessed,

when forgiveness must be sought,

when children must be taught,

when burdens must be carried, and when hope must be rediscovered.

Let its promises keep your hearts. Let its warnings guard your lives, let its Savior be your treasure.

And years from now, may this Bible look less like a gift, and more like a witness:

worn from use,

marked by prayer,

stained with tears,

opened in trouble,

loved in peace,

and radiant with Christ.

Because when you open the Word in faith,

Jesus hears,

He sees,

He Speaks.

Listen to Him, dear

couple, all the days of your life.