“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7) I had never really thought much about the subject of the church being the bride of Christ. Oh sure, I heard sermons and even read about it – but didn’t stop to think about it.
Then I went to a bridal shower for a young friend of mine. We had been spending time together during her courtship and it was so satisfying to watch the love for her finance blossom. Driving to the shower, the bride was sewing beads on the bodice of her wedding dress – hundreds of beads. She was working hard at looking beautiful for the groom. She would never have thought of walking down the aisle in dirty, torn jeans and greasy hair. Brides buy everything new and beautiful – they want to look their best.
When Jesus, the Groom, comes to meet His bride (the people who are called by His name) we will be ready for Him – clean and dazzling. But our radiance comes from within – Jesus Christ in us.
David Hazard, in his book on The Writings of Teresa of Avila, quotes her regarding the brightness of Christ within us:
“It is true that the soul which has once rooted itself in Christ can never lose all the brightness of its King. Once the splendid Son of Righteousness has come into the central throne room (the throne of our heart), the castle can never lose it bright glory. And yet, by our foolish neglect, and by our willful sins, we drape the whole castle with a black pall.”
Think of the grimy film that develops on the windows of our house or car. Picture tarnished silver or brass, that is what sin does to our souls. It prevents the radiance of Christ from shining through. (Psalm 34:5)
But we can change that. We can become radiant again. 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Notice the “all unrighteousness?” Do you need a good washing? Have you been negligent in keeping yourself squeaky clean? I encourage you to take the time to go through the Related Article link below.
Let us be radiant brides for our Lord!
Father, like any bride, we are looking forward to meeting our Groom. Give us the grace to keep ourselves shining like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:15) and radiant as we look to You (Psalm 34:5) Amen
