There he stands, watching her come towards him. She’s so excited; she has eyes for no one but him. And he—well, just look at his face. She is his bride. As he places the ring on her finger, she laughs in incredulity: “Is this real? Are you really making this promise to me?” Yes. The rings are the sign.
I never understood the power of the Church as the Bride of Christ, the Groom, until this moment when I saw this human groom’s face. Because instead of wondering whether a man would ever look at me in that way and place a symbol on my finger, I realized – one day, my Savior will gaze upon me with even greater love. The seal of the promise is not a metal circle, but scarred wrists, bloody feet, a new heart. And I shall see His face. I am His bride. He is my Groom.
I know that the Church collectively is the Bride, not mere individuals. Christ, in His love, will see us as one. But a groom doesn’t just love his bride as a whole being; he cherishes every part of her. Her big, shining eyes. Her soft, long hair. Her dimples. Her nose and the way it wrinkles when she laughs. Her tiny hands and feet. Her smile. Her voice. Everything that makes up who she is, he treasures. He examines the details of each feature with delight.
And so, just as Christ will look upon His Bride, the Church, with unimaginable love, so He will gaze upon me. So He will delight in you. And we together shall see His face – distant now as we walk down this long aisle of the years, but coming closer, closer…
O Lord, haste the day.
(Thank you, Kristen & James, for inviting me to be part of your God-honoring wedding celebration. May God bless your life together richly, and keep us all ever-focused on the eternal wedding feast.)
