The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.” (Matthew 22:2a and 3)

There is much preparation before a wedding occurs! A wedding is joining together of two people of different personalities who have grown to love each other so that they cannot continue to live apart. They have their friends join them in this celebration. Everything has to be perfect. The wedding dress made to bring out the beauty of the “bride” for her groom. This happy day is a faint reflection of the “great wedding day” of Christ and His church. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). The Bible pictures this union of love between Christ and His church who He found dead in sin with no beauty that He should ever look at her again. “And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live” (Ezekiel 16:4). The great wonder of this wedding is the bride receives her life from the Bridegroom. It is only free and sovereign grace, making her the grateful recipient of His love. “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:8-9a).

The day is set apart for the bridal pair as their special day, there are also guests invited to the marriage. This is the gospel which God’s servants, (heralds) proclaim to them from the King. The glorious King came seeking His bride, proffering peace and pardon to her. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). Men did not feel the need or love for this King, because they would be their own king. The cross of Calvary is the great divide; He shed His life-blood to earn the bride’s wedding garment for her. Do you see Him reflected in her? Have you been brought to see your nakedness without it? Without this wedding garment the King also has a word for you! “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:11-14). Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom is also the wedding garment; He is everything for a bride who has no beauty in herself. Is He your righteousness?

Written by: Cornelius VanKempen

October 31, 2016