Here comes the Bride.
“For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7)
“Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless…This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”
(Ephesians 5:25-27, 32)
Yes, this post is about marriage. No, it is not only for married people. Weddings, marriage, and the intentionality of God to use the symbolism of marriage to illustrate His own love for his chosen people…Julia Roberts could never!
People give various reasons for why they believe “now” is the time for them to get married. Reasons range from aging ovaries to a logical next step after professional achievements. Some people get married to prove something to others, while others say “I do” to somehow prove value to themselves. Whatever your reason, today the Holy Spirit is inviting us to consider the only reason for marriage that truly matters. As believers in Jesus Christ, when we stand before God on our wedding day, we take on not only the role of husband or wife but of Image Bearer.
You see, beyond the butterflies, clever hashtags, and perfect venue, your vows are made first to God and then to your new spouse.
“Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
This is an excerpt from one of the more common lists of vows shared at weddings. Now, for those reading this who are married, it’s really the way you declare these vows every day AFTER the wedding that bears witness to the love of Christ for his Bride, the Church. When you choose forgiveness instead of the culture’s encouragement of canceling, punishment, and score-keeping, you model the way Christ forgives us every day. When you serve each other through illness, loss, and financial strain, you model Christ’s constant faithfulness despite the ups and downs of life. When you declare “until death do us part,” you echo Christ’s vow to never leave nor forsake us in this life or the next.
If your marriage was the only way for someone to understand the love of Christ, would they get it?
And for those of us who are not yet married or have no desire to be married, there is a consideration for us as well. Whether single or married, if you and I claim to be followers of Jesus, we are a part of the Church. Scripture tells us that the Church is to Jesus what the bride is to the groom in our wedding picture. As the Bride of Christ, consider these natural vows again, but consider them in view of our groom— the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, spotless Lamb, Jesus! Church:
“Will you love Him, comfort Him, honor and keep Him, in (your) sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, and forsaking all other (gods), be faithful to Him as long as you live?”
Before you answer, invite God to search your heart. What circumstances are you in that have been your excuse for breaking your vows? Where have you made stipulations for your faithfulness?
My prayer is that this season would birth kingdom marriages in the natural. Marriages that showcase the love of God better than words. But not only literal marriages, but more importantly that the Bride of Christ would cleanse and prepare for her groom.
