The angel said to me, “Write this down: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. These are the true words of God.” I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t worship me, I’m the messenger not the message! Keep serving Jesus with your friends, and worship God with all you have and are.” (paraphrase Rev.19:9–10)
Jesus, easy to understand why John fell down to worship the angel. For our oldest longings, greatest cravings, and deepest yearnings are claimed by the angel’s declaration. Everybody invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb will be there as your Bride—not as an onlooker, bridesmaid, or friend of the family. We are that much yours loved that much. Hallelujah, on Gospel-steroids!
We still foolishly think there’s some relationship(s), set of circumstances, or change in our world that can satisfy the restlessness in our hearts. But we’re made for you, Jesus—designed to be fulfilled and completed only by you.
Precisely because we are called and guaranteed a place at your wedding banquet … Precisely because you have dressed us in the wedding garment of your grace and righteousness … Precisely because you set have your affection upon us and find great delight in us … Precisely because we will spend eternity celebrating you and your great love for us … free us to live and love to your glory all the way Home.
Jesus, for we who are presently married to a human spouse—free us to love our spouse as you love us, period—when it’s easy and when it’s not. Free us from thinking you cannot renew broken, boring, passionless, purposeless marriages. For we who are not presently married—free us to understand that we are more married to you than we would ever be to a human spouse. This isn’t sentimental gobbledygook; it is sensational beyond all understanding. So Very Amen.
