Bride of Christ
“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 hadn’t really thought about the the Church being the Bride of Christ. Oh sure, I had heard sermons and even read about it, but I 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 rewarding to watch the relationship blossom. Driving to the shower, the bride was sewing beads on the bodice of her wedding dress — hundreds of beads. She was working hard so that she would look beautiful for the groom. She would never have thought of walking down the aisle with oily hair and in dirty, torn jeans. Brides buy everything new and beautiful, as 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, from Jesus Christ in us.
In his book on the writings of Teresa of Avila, David Hazard quotes the saint 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 its 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?
Let us be radiant brides for our Lord!
Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that because of sin in my life, I don’t shine radiantly. I have been directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit . I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. May your radiance shine through me. Amen