Scripture
Genesis 2:19-25 (ESV)
Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Devotional Reflection
In the beginning, God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and from his side he took the material from which he built the woman. This woman, he brought to Adam, who named her and declared her fit be his Helper. In this divinely crafted arrangement, Head and Helper were distinct, and yet also united as one. So also, God caused the sleep of death to fall upon the second Adam--Christ. From the water and blood--the material that poured forth from his pierced side--God has built the Church. He brings it to Christ, who washes it and makes it holy with his word--so that she might be a Helper fit for him, the Head. And now in this divinely crafted arrangement, Head and Helper, though distinct, once again share in the unity of one body so that they might rule together in a New Creation.
Image Description
A surreal image of a Christian church enveloped in a bridal veil. The church, an iconic structure with a towering spire and stained glass windows, should appear as if it's being embraced or covered by a delicate, flowing bridal veil. The veil should drape elegantly over the building, partially obscuring its features but enhancing its mystical and sacred aura. The background could hint at a serene, heavenly sky or a soft, mystical landscape, further accentuating the surreal and transcendent nature of the scene.