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2008 THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
LOVING GOD'S WAY
It stands to reason that, having responded to the love of God and having accepted His free gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus, we have to be in a relationship with Him in order to become a reliable witness, a friend, and part of the bride of Christ.
Now when two people are involved in a relationship, the normal process is that they want to get to know each other, finding out as much as possible about each other, daily spending time together, talking, enjoying one another's company, protecting each other and generally looking out for one another's interests. Writing love letters or poems, even love songs, are quite normal in such a relationhip. And as the relationship grows, they will be spending time with each other's family and friends, also getting to know and care for them.
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Heb. 10: 25
In time, if they are serious about the relationship, their dreams about becoming engaged – setting themselves apart exclusively for each other - getting married and setting up home together will become reality.
During the time when Jesus walked amongst men in the flesh, the courting customs of the Jewish people were as follow:
The father, or the prospective bridegroom, would identify the maiden of the son's affection, and would send a friend to speak to the family on the son's behalf, making clear his inten-tions and discussing the price “lobola” - as we know it - to be paid by the bridegroom.
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilder- ness; Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.” Matt. 3: 1 – 3
The son would then visit the bride's family, and they would have a feast and all would drink wine from a communal cup – the cup of betrothal – following which the bridegroom would pay the agreed price determined by the father.
“Then He (Jesus) took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14: 23 – 25.
Thereafter the prospective bridegroom would return to His Father's house.
“Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.” John 7:33
“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” Mark 16: 19
The bridegroom would have returned to His father's house to prepare a home for himself and his bride:
“In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
When the house is completed, the bridegroom will come and fetch his bride:
“And if I go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” John 14: 3
BUT he cannot come to fetch his bride, until his father is satisfied that the house is complete and fit for his new bride.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13: 32
While the bridegroom is away, the bride must prepare herself. She wears a veil, so that the world can see that she is already spoken for. This veil is symbolic of the santification of the body of Christ on earth:
“because it is written: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” 1 Pet. 1: 16
She must have a light burning in her room right through the night, every night, so as to be ready when the bridegroom comes; and when the bridegroom does fetch his bride, he comes during the dark of night and he brings along a lot of his friends, and they make a big joyful noise, so that the bride and her family will hear him from afar and be ready to meet him halfway.
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” Mark 13: 26 – 27
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying: 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”...Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matt 25: 1 - 13
Thank you Lord, that you want to enter into a loving, marital relationship with us. Thank you that you warn us that we must be ready, or the door may be shut in our faces!
Elizabeth Blaauw
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