The Wedding Table

“The wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7 Every culture gives a special place to weddings. They are celebrations of beauty and life. They declare not only the love between a man and a woman but also the community's hope for the future. Great time and effort are invested in planning and preparations. Family and friends travel from great distances to celebrate with the couple. Brides carefully make themselves as radiant as possible for the day of celebration. Is it any wonder that the church is described as the bride of Christ? The church is preparing for the return of Jesus, who is coming to claim his bride and be united with her forever. The bride, dressed in beautiful bright linen woven from deeds of obedience and love, has prepared for the greatest celebration in history. What a glorious picture of the church of Christ triumphant! Isn’t it sad, then, when the bride isn’t as beautiful as she should be? That’s because the people who form it are still broken, selfish, and hurtful. But at the end of time, when Christ returns, the wedding will finally take place. Jesus and his bride will proceed into new life together, a life of perfect love and intimacy, and a life that will last forever! On that day, the Bride will truly be beautiful! But until that day, we should strive to be the kind of bride that Christ desires. May our earthly tables better reflect the great and glorious heavenly table. May we respond to the invitation, and may we invite all we encounter to come to the table.