My mind is preoccupied. One month from today, my son, my firstborn child will say “I do” to his lovely bride. It seems like there is still so much to do! Final decisions. Preparations. Travel arrangements. And this list goes on and on.

But as I focus on the blessed day ahead, I’m also preparing for another day that is yet to come. The day the Groom returns for His Bride.

In one of those Monday morning prayer sessions, I focused on the Church, the Bride of Christ and was once again swept away by the beauty of this picture.

I wrote a Bible study a couple of years ago on the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, but I looked at this passage through fresh eyes on that morning several weeks ago because of the wedding preparations we are in the midst of. These are some of the things I learned.

The Wedding Banquet Was Prepared

Matthew 22:4 (NIV) tells us that oxen and cattle had been butchered and everything had been made ready for the wedding of this son. Now, I have never butchered either of these animals, but I know what it takes to prepare a feast from meat purchased at a store. This was a lot of effort. But for this child, the father was willing to do whatever necessary to make this day special.

The same is true of our heavenly Father. His preparations have been in the works since before the beginning of our time. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to be welcomed into the wedding feast of the Lamb. It’s gonna be awesome!

The Invites Were Sent

Apparently in Jesus’ day, guests were invited to the wedding banquet, but no date was given for the actual event. Once the preparations were made, guests were once again invited to come. These guests in Matthew 22 were not very accommodating to their host. They all backed out! What’s more, they refused to join in the celebration. How hurt the father must have been!

Folks, let’s face it. We have all received the invitation and many have accepted the invite, but how are we doing on the waiting thing? Where is our focus? I pray that on that glorious day when the Groom arrives to claim His Bride that we are all prepared and ready to go willingly.

RSVP’s Were Given

These guests who refused to attend the wedding feast had apparently RSVP’d to join in this celebration. Otherwise, a second invitation would not have been given. So I wonder what changed their mind about attending? Had they heard oxen would be served and they didn’t like oxen? This passage says that some went to their fields and others to their businesses. Are these activities good excuses for refusal to attend?

How sad for the folks in our day who refuse God’s invitation to the wedding feast. How much more sadness I feel for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and then turned their backs to Him. Let’s be sure to pray diligently for the ones who are being held in bondage by the world and the evil one.

Invites Sent Again

Since no one from the first set of invitations would attend the wedding feast, another round of invitations were given. This time, the invitees were any who could be found. Any one on the street was invited into the wedding feast. The good and the bad.

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17 – NIV) The invitation is given. Come!

Get Ready

Once the guests arrived, one was spotted that wasn’t dressed appropriately. It may have been the custom for the wedding host to provide wedding clothing for the guests. The reaction from the host makes more sense under these circumstances.

We find in other passages of Scripture that the Bride is to be prepared for her Groom. We, as members of body of Christ are to be found “beautifully dressed, without spot or blemish.” (Revelation 21:2 – NIV) We are to present ourselves to him “as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27 – NIV) Are you ready to meet your Bridegroom?

Filled

Finally, the wedding hall was filled with guests. I love this part. I look forward to the day when the banquet hall of heaven is filled with Jesus’ Bride. The celebration will begin. The feast will be spectacular. The Bride of Christ will meet her Groom. How glorious!

Weddings. They are so much fun, but there is work to be done ahead of time. I pray that you will find words of encouragement through this blog post that will help you in getting ready for the big day. Just remember these words from Revelation 22:20 (NIV). “‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Are you ready?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna