Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves.” (Song of Songs 4:1a)
Months of preparing and years of courting have led up to this day. Peering through stained glass doors of the chapel, the bride catches a glimpse of her fetching groom; he is standing poised and ready to receive his new bride. Her heart quickens as thoughts begin to surface in her mind… Will he think I’m beautiful? Will I measure to his expectations? As if reading her thoughts the father pulls his daughter close to his side and whispers, “You are so beautiful!”
At that very moment, the music crescendos, the chapel doors swing open, and the honored guests rise to their feet. The beautiful bride sweeps through the regal doorway with elegance and grace. The expectant groom gazes upon his beloved as if seeing her for the very first time. The adoration in his eyes warms her heart, and the smile on his face melts her fears. Her true love awaits!
In Scripture there are many parallels, analogies, and metaphors relating our relationship with Christ to a marriage. What beautiful imagery for us to ponder.
In biblical times, once a couple became betrothed (engaged), the groom would go back to his father’s house and begin building a section of the home where the couple would live. The bride would use that time to prepare herself for the life they would share together. Ironically, the bride never knew when her groom would come for her; she just knew to be ready at any moment’s notice.
Like the bride described in my introduction, we must ready ourselves to meet our Groom.
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)
Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, a place where we will live with Him forever.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)
Our minds cannot conceive the splendor awaiting us in heaven, but Scripture assures us it is truly amazing!
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Betrothed to Christ we do not need to fear death, for it is merely a doorway leading to eternal life with Jesus.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34b)
When we look into the eyes of our Groom, Jesus, we will finally understand the full measure of His incomparable love.
Our true love awaits!
