“Yes, I am really getting married. Finally” she said to herself in the mirror. Can this be true? Am I old enough for this? Mature? I know I’m excited… of course and I can see why my Dad is excited too!
‘That rich man’s daughter is getting married’ – people will say. If I know my Dad, the marriage is going to be quite an extravagant one. Yes, that’s the way He would want it – to make me happy. Oh, how I wish there is someway I can think of to make Him happy. I wonder how he would feel when he gives me away in marriage… to this man- the new love in my life.
“It’s going to be a memorable day, for both me and my husband” she told herself before she drifted into a quiet sleep. Just a few more days… the dreams they had shared, the plans they had made; the future home…
What a hectic schedule! The guest lists been made, invitations sent out, house renovated, the church informed, priests invited, decorations in place, the flowers been ordered, food has been arranged – all in preparation for that one memorable day!
She would wear the white dress that she had liked so much – the colour, the cut, the texture, the tone. Also the jewels – earrings and necklace. She knew that her face would glow with nothing but pure joy; and filled with fragrance of that special perfume that he had gifted her during the courtship. Long long veil and the tiara – Yes, that’s what I will be wearing on that day.
And finally the day arrived. Dad was up early. He has done so much in these last few days. “Love you, Dad”.
There is a whiff of fresh fragrance in the air, gentle strumming on stringed instruments with music so sweet; the palpable heart-beats of expectation dancing to the tune in some strange way. The dancing children – who are they? The flower girls, the usher boys – they all look so smart. I could not help but smile and smile and then laugh a little, at first a little awkwardly… and then it flowed out generously, whole-heartedly. This is pure joy!
And then he came, his eyes were searching for me. I saw him first, or did I? Our eyes met… how can I describe this feeling? The well spring of living water -it’s bubbling from my belly up. “Hi, darling!” I gushed.
A wedding has been announced; the “Tailor” has His job cut-out. The dresses have been ordered and made ready – it’s the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness.
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:31-32
“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.“
Revelation 19:7
The Bridegroom Jesus is coming; and on that day it will be said that the Bride (the Church) has made herself ready. Readying is actually putting away the old clothes and putting on the new ones. Isn’t it?(Been part of a wedding… yes, you know it!).
The thing is, all our righteousness (by works of law) are like filthy rags; ready to be thrown away. And the gift of righteousness (Rom. 5:17), is to be received, and this robe of righteousness (by faith in Jesus) is to be worn. This is the Bride making herself ready!
Remember Joseph?
The dreamer and interpreter of dreams? Now when Joseph was called from prison by the Pharaoh for interpretation of his dream (mystery), Joseph first shaved and changed his clothing, before he came before the king. That is how he made himself ready.
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.”
Genesis 41:14
Beloved, as believers in Jesus Christ, the gift of righteous robes is extended to each one of us, the Bride – the Church. Do you know that the train of this His robe (of righteousness) fills the entire temple? Let us therefore make ourselves ready. Let us prepare to meet our Savior, our King, our Maker, our Husband.
The scene, the scent… the song, the feast; everything to look forward to. The voice of the Bridegroom is heard:
“The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!“
Song of Solomon 2: 12-13
What is the Bride’s response? Come! Lord Jesus. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Update: I was searching online to put a picture of the kingly robe (representing righteousness) and was about to add the picture when His Spirit impressed upon me that the robe was too short and reminded me of the verse of how the train of His robe filled the entire temple. And I was like Wow! Maybe that is why the Bride in her wedding use a very very long veil.
If at all you trip, you are going to trip on His righteousness! 🙂
Amen.