Well it’s nearly here! The impending nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are only days away. What is it about a royal wedding that generates such excitement? Is it simply that any wedding brings general cheer, and therefore this happiness is more widespread because the royal family are a historic part of the British nation?
Whatever the reason, many will be tuning in on Saturday to share in the viewing of this momentous marriage. After all, weddings are a shared experience aren’t they? The act of two people so in love they want to join themselves together for the rest of their lives, gladdens the hearts of those who know them. Married or not, most of us feel that need to be loved so deeply, that we know we matter more to that one person than anyone else in the whole world. And then to have that person willingly stand in front of others and profess that love and commitment must be one of the most uplifting experiences a person can have.
So where does marriage come from? Well, the Bible sheds some light on it. Back in the first book of the Bible, we learn,
‘…a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh’ Genesis 2:24
God established marriage early on, but it’s not only for the individual couples that we have this union. God uses it in the Bible to tell us of a forthcoming marriage, a royal marriage…
‘…Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ Revelation 19:9
So whose wedding is this? Well, the ‘lamb’ refers to Jesus. He was sacrificed on the cross and he is referred to as a ‘lamb’ because lambs were used in the original sacrifices in the Old Testament. By his death, Jesus removed the need to sacrifice animals as payment for sin, so he is the ‘lamb’ that ‘takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29).
Jesus is also described as the bridegroom in other passages and his bride is the church. That’s right: Jesus’ bride is his followers who are baptised into his name and try to be faithful to him in their lives. The wedding supper to celebrate Jesus and the church coming together will happen when Jesus has returned to Earth to set up God’s Kingdom. Just as a bride and groom will have their wedding breakfast and begin their lives living together, Jesus and the church of believers will live in God’s Kingdom on Earth forever more. Jesus will be King and the church his bride. It’s a wedding that all are invited to be actively part of, not as an onlooker but as a part-taker. It will secure a believer in love eternally, with their bridegroom who has waited a long time to live with them. It’s a marriage that won’t fail, can’t fail… and will bring everlasting happiness.
So we wish Harry and Meghan much happiness in their forthcoming union, but as for the marriage of Jesus and the church … that will be the greatest wedding of all time!
To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk.