On Wednesday nights this summer, we are studying the book Housewife Theologian by Aimee Byrd. It is being taught by Amy Jackson and Amy Johnson. (I jokingly told the ladies of the church that only Amys could attend. One of the ladies said she would change her name.) We went over chapter two tonight. It fostered these thoughts in me:
In discussing her wedding day, the bride is usually kept from her beloved, as she readies herself for him, hoping to see joy in his eyes as she comes down the aisle. It is her moment, and all rise at her entrance. We may not have known her before and our first impression is of her at her best.
There is another wedding day to come. This time, the bride is getting ready while on public display. She has scars and ugly attitudes that mar her beauty. She is broken and crippled. Her disposition is not as it should be, but she is also being readied - not hidden as was the other bride. Her change is witnessed by the world. It may be slow coming, but it is a certainty. She will fail, she will fall, and then she will get back up and begin again. One might wonder why the Groom would ever choose such a bride, but He did. She was not chosen for her looks or her goodness, but out of His great love for her and her beauty is only a reflection of His beauty.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
This time it is the Bride that awaits her Groom. All eyes will behold Him and He will bring joy to His Beloved's eyes. It will be His moment and all will rise at His entrance, and then bow before Him.
This will be a marriage to end all other marriages, for Jesus will claim His Bride and take her home, and there she will remain forever with Him.
His Bride is on display right now with the world watching. What changes will they see?
Jesus sees Her as perfect, for she is covered by His righteousness.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 19:7-8 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
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