He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Rev. 21:4)

To the saints who are at Luther Memorial Chapel and University Student Center and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

No commoner who invites you – but the king! No lecture or common event to which He invites you - but a feast! No common feast or general get together to which He invites you - but a marriage feast – for His Son! It is the King who makes all the preparations – those invited must do nothing! It is theas the Bridegroom (Mark 2:19). So did His best man – John the Baptist (John 3:29) saying, The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase but I must decrease. When Jesus spoke this parable it was Holy Week. John had decreased to the point of imprisonment and martyrdom and Jesus’ increase is very near the hour of His glory. It was glory He began to manifest in the first of His signs – also at a wedding feast - in Cana (John 2:11). The abundance of His gift of wine surely points to the length and the joy of the