Here Comes The Bride

S

eptember 15, 1990 is a date that I will long remember.  It was the day that my best friend, David, married his long-time sweetheart, Lisa.  Before the wedding, there was a constant bevy of activity as all the preparations were made, checked, rechecked, and confirmed.  Everything had to be perfect.   Lisa's dress was altered and finished, David made sure all the guys had their tuxedos, the wedding invitations were mailed, the music was selected, the cake was ordered, the church was decorated, and all the small details that accompany this important day were attended to. 

Finally, it was time for the rehearsal.  The entire wedding party arrived at the church on time and took their places.  Instructions were given several times until everyone knew exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.  One last walk through confirmed that everyone and everything was correct.  Then entire party then sat down to a meal and shared in the fun, fellowship, and love that always surrounds two people about to be wed.

After the meal, David and I went back to the sanctuary and sat for a while.  Lisa went home to get some much-needed rest and to prepare herself for the following day.  David and I drove around our hometown for a while and talked with each other.  We relived childhood memories, told some jokes, listened to the radio, and then parted company, looking forward to the events the following day would bring.

After all the guests arrived, and after the wedding party was in place, it was time for David to see his bride.  I will never forget the joy on his face and the happiness that filled the sanctuary as these two joined their lives together.  As Lisa made her way down the aisle, David's eyes never left her. His face glowed with happiness and, I think, a great deal of satisfaction and pride.   It is a wonderful experience to watch your best friend take such an important step, especially when you know it is the right one. 

The prophet Isaiah has much to say concerning marriages.  In fact, he compares the relationship God has with his children to the relationship between a groom and his bride.  In verse five of chapter sixty-two, Isaiah writes, "And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,  So shall your God rejoice over you."  Here, Isaiah says straightforwardly that God rejoices over us in the same way that the bridegroom rejoices over his bride.  The bridegroom takes great care in selecting his bride.  He selects her from among all others and promises to forsake everyone else and to be committed solely to her.  He loves no other, thinks of no other, and wants no other.  She is everything to him and he gives himself willingly to her and for her.

What a wonderful image of God's love for us this is.  God has selected us in Jesus to present us to himself as his bride.  He loves no others, he cares for no others, he wants no others, and he is committed to no others besides those who follow him.  We are everything to him, the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8).  Instead of nailing a marriage license to the wall, God nailed Jesus to a tree.  Instead of placing a seal on the license, he sealed the marriage contract with the blood of Christ.  He did all this so that we could enjoy perfect union and fellowship with him.  He did all this not because of who we are or what we did but because of who he is and his great love for us.  As the scripture says, "This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (John 4:10). Listen very carefully!  From Genesis to Revelation, you can hear the ringing of the wedding bells as God daily declares his love for you!  Won't you say "I do" to him today!!