Invited

The Invitation

We were invited. Last year my husband and I received an invitation to attend the wedding of a friend. The wedding was to be held in Paris. Oh, my goodness.

I’ve known Brian since we were in high school together. To be invited to share in this happiest of occasions with him was such an honor.

If only we were able to fly to Paris and celebrate with my friend on his special day. Unfortunately, I was recovering from joint replacement surgery at the time.

The surgery was more involved than expected. The prolonged recovery, along with occupational therapy three days a week, made it impossible for us to travel such a distance to attend the wedding.

Missing the opportunity to share this major life event with my longtime friend, made me extremely sad. It still makes me sad we weren’t there.

Another Wedding Invitation

Thinking about Brian’s wedding, causes me to think about another wedding I’ve been asked to attend. Fortunately, this is an invitation I have accepted. This is a wedding I am very much looking forward to attending.

As it was with Brian’s wedding in Paris, this wedding takes place quite a distance from where I currently live. Also, as it was with my friend, the Bridegroom at this future wedding is someone I’ve known since my youth.

Invited to the Wedding of the Lamb

The Bible tells us about a wonderful wedding. The wedding of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, and the Church, his bride. It tells us how Jesus laid down his life for his bride. He ascended into heaven to prepare a place for her.

The Bridegroom will return for his Bride. And when he returns, Jesus will take us home to heaven, where we will live with him forever.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we enter into a covenant with him. Similar to an engagement to be married, we make a commitment to Jesus, and he with us. We have the promise of a life together in the home he is preparing for us.

The Wedding Feast

I didn’t know ahead of time what Brian’s wedding banquet would be like. What I did know, however, is that it would be beyond grand.

How did I know that? Because I know Brian. He does nothing halfway.

I don’t know ahead of time what the wedding banquet in heaven will be like. What I do know, however, is that it will be the most magnificent thing human eyes could ever behold. It will be amazing. Beyond our wildest dreams.

How do I know that? Because I know Jesus. He does nothing halfway.

What the Bible Says

I’ve also read the Bible, God’s holy word, and it tells me it’s true. Here are a few examples of what the Bible has to say about this blessed event.

Let us rejoice and be happy and give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.” (The fine linen means the good things done by God’s holy people.) And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!” And the angel said, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9 NCV

In Revelation John talks about the new Jerusalem. That place prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. The dwelling place for those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelation 21:2 NIV

Isaiah tells us God rejoices over us the way a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.

Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Isaiah 62:5 NLT

RSVP–Our Choice

Brian invited my husband and me to attend his wedding. But it was up to us whether we would accept his invitation or not. It was our choice. Brian hoped we would share his special day with him. It saddened him that we weren’t able to. Nevertheless, he didn’t force us to accept.

God invites us all to attend the wedding of his Son, the Lamb, to his Bride, the Church. It’s our choice whether we accept God’s invitation or not. God wants everyone who receives his invitation to share this special day with him. Nevertheless, God won’t force us to accept.

Your Turn

The Bible also tells us we won’t know the hour or the day when God tells his son, “Go get your bride.” What the Bible does say, is that we need to watch and wait for that day. We need to be ready.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:36-37, 42, 44 NIV

We’re invited! I Look forward to seeing you at the wedding.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Photos courtesy Pixabay and Unsplash.