Whenever I attend a wedding, my favorite moment of the whole event is when the bride enters the sanctuary, or the entrance aisle, where she makes her appearance in the gown chosen for THE big day. But, it isn't her entrance that is exciting to me. It is the chance to get to turn and watch the groom as he sees his bride, for the first time that day, in her beauty and radiance.
Do it the next time you attend a wedding. You can see the bride in all her glory as she gets to the altar, you can see her gorgeous look all day. But, only in that split second can you capture the stunned countenance of a man who is seeing his love make an entrance planned just for him; months or even years in the making, she is walking towards him to be his until death parts them. Getting to look at his face and body react to her is a treasure itself. The groom's love, shock, overwhelmed emotions - so much in just that moment before he can gain his composure. If you don't look quickly enough, you will miss this unrepeatable moment. Priceless is the only word I can grasp for describing it.
When my son married his precious Hannah, I did not look at her at all when she entered the sanctuary to become his forever partner. I just watched him. Seeing him experience such delight was a gift I shall never forget receiving.
A bridegroom's expectant joy over his bride is delightful for him. It is his own personal pleasure, his alone - each man experiencing feelings that are private to him, yet, shown to the audience world as they see him respond in both countenance, body, tears, and often, exclamations. We can imagine the fabulous electricity flowing through his veins as he sees her and knows she is joyfully walking that aisle to greet him with a "yes, I will be yours forever."
Scripture tells me, us, that I am the bride of Christ; that he is the beloved bridegroom awaiting his bride in all her glory - that one day, he will come to take me, us, to be with him, and he will come in radiant glory and splendor to greet us, welcome us to be his own forever. Can you envision it after giving a bit of thought to grooms you have seen on their wedding day?
The beauty industry offers fabulous services for brides on their special day - hair, nails, face - all transformed to make any woman look like a princess. Even the most beautiful of women is made even more lovely by the radiance of her joy, plus the care of a beautician or good friend who 'does her hair and make up' for the wedding day activities. And for those gals who don't usually do a great deal of 'fancy schmancy' updo work to their hair, or make up to their face, the wedding day beautification is such delightful fun to make them feel absolutely fabulous about how they look for the groom in their gorgeous dress.
Now, ponder with me yourself as the bride. Maybe you feel a bit frumpy, jittery, not perfect for the day - blemishes across your chin and forehead will surely mar the perfect make up job. Your hair just won't hold the curls as you want. And the dress - egads - it fit at the fitting last week, but now it feels tight!! Ugh. Horrors. You want to be nothing short of stunning.
But your Bridegroom awaits you. His anticipation is energetic. He knows you are nervous. He is loving you from afar, wishing the most delightful of days for you. Truly, he believes with his whole being that you are perfect for him - there is no doubt.
Jesus is that Bridegroom.
You are his bride. Man or woman, you are his chosen love. Accepted, wanted, loved.
What is even more astounding to know is that he has done all the work of making you glorious and beautiful. He has prepared the garment you will wear as his bride - clothing of pure righteousness, whiter than snow as it reflects the light of the sun. The bridegroom has made sure the clothing fits you - he has perfected your being so that the garment you wear is stunning for you. The Word of God says he has done this for you - the work of making you his lovely bride, prepared to walk the aisle to meet him in pure radiance.
Imagine it like I did this week - Jesus is the groom waiting at the altar. He is anxious for his love. It is you. Me. He sent a love letter to read as you readied yourself for your grand entrance to meet him in the Sanctuary. You nervously prepare. You fret over the details of life that might have marred your loveliness for him - will he want you this way? You pace, you care for the details, then, it is time.
You exit the bride's chambers to go meet your groom. Shaking as you walk, you approach the door of the sanctuary and turn to enter. The door opens. Breathe. Take the first step in.
Can you see his face? Weeping as I write this, I see him. He is looking at me, at you, his bride, with the fiercest of love and devotion. His gaze speaks of adoration and longing that makes my heart race with anticipation of being his forever. I can approach with no fear. He has done all the wedding preparation to receive me, wanting me and making me his own. Tears of joy stream from his face, as well as my own, as he delights in receiving me, drawing me into his embrace. Drawing you.
Like Cinderella, for whom the Prince sought after she left behind her glass slipper at the ball, we are longed for, sought after, wanted, loved, desired - and our Prince of Peace, Bridegroom, already made sure the slipper fit. We have only to bask in his love.
You are his bride. He is your groom. He calls, "Come away with me, my love. "
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