The summer months are usually the
busiest time of the year for weddings to take place. A time when couples
exchange vows of commitment and love to one another, carrying with them the
expectations of spending a lifetime together, fulfilling their dreams and goals
in blissful matrimony.
The scriptures tell us that God has
been preparing a bride for His Son Jesus for almost two thousand years. A
bride, Apostle Paul says, that Christ will ultimately present to himself “…without a spot or wrinkle or any other
blemish… holy and blameless.” (Eph. 5:27)
Have you ever asked yourself the question, ‘would Jesus want to marry me?’ While
that may seem like a provocative question, it really is one that each child of
God needs to ask themselves. Am I allowing God to make me what His Son would
want and desire to be with? What are the
characteristics that Jesus is looking for in His bride when He returns for her
at the end of this age? Let’s take a look at a few;
Commitment:
How often do we
hear the words in a ceremony “...for better or worse, in sickness or in health,
for richer or poorer…till death do us part.”, and yet more then half of all
marriages are ending in divorce because of infidelity or that proverbial of
reasons, “irreconcilable differences”. Jesus is looking for one who is
committed only to Him, who, no matter how bad or how good life gets, will never
forget their first love. Jesus is absolutely committed to us for he has
promised “I will never leave you nor
forsake you” (Heb.13:5).
Friendship:
The best of
marriages will always result from men and women who count their spouses as
their best friend. Jesus has called us His friends if we do the things He asks
us to do (John 16:14). But the greatest act a person can do is lay down their
life for their friends and Jesus made that supreme sacrifice for His future bride
(John 16:13). Best friends share
everything together. They have such a close relationship that they even share
their most intimate secrets and thoughts which leads to …
Communication:
Successful
marriages are built upon not only commitment and friendship but open and honest
communication between spouses. Jesus has given us the privilege and opportunity
to talk with Him anytime, anywhere. He not only wants us to share our life with
Him but expects us to bring every experience whether they are trials and
burdens or joys and victories before Him because He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).
And communication always needs to be a two way street between spouses. How does
Jesus communicate with us? He speaks to us through His Word, the Holy Bible. How
often do we listen to Him?
Love:
No marriage can survive if it is not built
upon a deep and enduring love between spouses. As love is part of God’s nature (I
John 4:8), so it is of Jesus also. For you and me to be the bride of Christ we
also must learn to develop that same love in ourselves. God has given us His
spirit for that very purpose, so that we can ultimately reflect the love of His
Son to a sinful and hate filled world. Jesus has shown His love to us by laying
down His life for us and we need to reciprocate with the same, if need be, by being
willing to lay our lives down for the brethren (I John 3:16).
A Forgiving Spirit:
The ultimate act of
forgiveness was when God sent His only begotten Son to die on Calvary’s
cross to take away our sins. And not only does He take away our sins but they
are forgotten forever. The child of God needs to learn to forgive as the Lord
Jesus forgave us. “…bearing with one
another and forgiving each other…even as Christ forgave you, so also should
you.” (Col.3:13)
Purity:
Jesus has given us
an engagement ring as a pledge of His commitment and faithfulness to us, it is
the Holy Spirit (Eph.1:14; II Cor.5:5). Our acceptance of the Holy Spirit
serves as our pledge to be spiritually faithful and committed in return. Jesus’
bride will ultimately be one who has kept herself chaste, undefiled by the
world and it’s values (James 4:4) and untainted and steadfast against the deceitfulness of Satan as we pour out our
love and pure devotion to Christ, our future husband (II Cor.11:2-4).
If these attributes of what Christ
desires in His bride seem daunting and humanly unachievable – you are right!
But God’s desire is to have a bride for His Son who is perfect, holy and
righteous just like He is. And His desire will be fulfilled because His word
never returns back to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). He who has begun the good work
in us will complete it until
the day of Christ Jesus’ return, (Phil.1:6). So have no fear but only anxious
longing for that day when you will truly participate in a marriage that will
last for eternity.
‘Praise the Lord! For
the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give
honor to Him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
and His bride has prepared herself.’” Revelation 19:6-7
