The Wedding

Last weekend I went to a family wedding. The bride, of course, was beautiful in her lovely satin dress; and the groom handsome in his black tux. But what struck me most was the anticipation on the groom’s face as he waited beside the pastor for his beloved, and then the incredible love that radiated when he first saw her as she stepped onto the unfurled aisle carpet.

That look was heart stopping and made me imagine what Jesus’ face would look like when He first sees His bride—the collective believers, His set apart ones. I imagine His face full of love and yearning. He has, after all, waited over two thousand years for this, for us, all one body, cleansed and beautiful in white as a bride should be. But I also imagine His eyes lighting up as He looks at each of us as though we are the only ones in the room, for He also loves us individually and not only knows our name but the very number of hairs on our head.

And He has paid handsomely for her. As required by ancient Jewish law governing weddings, the bride price is paid prior to the wedding and reflects the value placed on her by the groom. And this bride is greatly valued for she has been purchased by the very blood of her beloved. And she is so beautiful. No longer the reproach of the world, or despised and ridiculed, she is now radiant in her splendid garment and crown; flawless and without spot or wrinkle or blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

Every bride’s wedding is memorable and special, but this wedding between the heavenly bridegroom and His bride will be a day like no other. All the heavenly hosts will be in attendance. And the celebration? Oh, my, it will be beyond anything we have ever seen before.

So when will the wedding take place? Again, according to ancient Jewish wedding laws/traditions only the father of the groom can decide this. That’s why Jesus said only the Father knows the day or hour of His return. But even now Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3).

Then what should we, as the waiting bride, do in the meantime? I think it wise to heed the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 (Amplified): “For I am jealous for you with a godly eagerness and a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But now I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

More than ever, we, the bride, need to be vigilant and keep our garments clean as we wait for out beloved.

Until next time,

Sylvia