This morning, during my prayer, reading and journaling time I had an image of Jesus that just blew me away.  To completely understand it you have to know that the Bible describes our relationship with Jesus as the bride of Christ.  For the Jewish man and woman who were betrothed, which is a little like our getting engaged, there was a great deal of anticipation.  Here’s how it went in a very brief and simple synopsis.

The marriage was usually arranged by the parents.  Then the man and woman had a betrothal ceremony in which they pledged themselves to each other even unto death.  After that time the man and woman went to their respective homes, the woman to prepare for the time when her husband came back to get her to take her to their new home.  The man went back to his home, which was with his parents, and began to add onto the house the room or rooms that would be his and his wife’s home.  She couldn’t join him until he was done.  The problem was that the only one who could determine when the man’s work was complete was the grooms father.  Finally a day would come when the father would say, “Ok, it’s time.  Go get your bride.”  The groom would then go and collect his bride, who had to be ready and prepared at any moment for her husband’s arrival.  This could take, literally years.  Can you imagine the anticipation of the bride and groom, never knowing when that time was going to come? The Bible says that no man knows the hour or the day, not even Jesus, only the Father.

So in that light, here’s my image.  Jesus is sitting on a throne at the right hand of the Father.  He is grasping the ends of the chair arms and scanning the world eagerly.  He glances to His Father and back to the world repeatedly, starting and resting back, all the time saying, “Dad, can I go?  Can I get my bride?  Is it time?”  And the Father gently but firmly places His hand on His Son’s arm.  “Not yet my son.  Patience is required for grace and mercy to reach its full extent.”

Amazing, here is Jesus who suffered indescribably at His bride’s hands and yet He can barely restrain Himself to return for her/us as He said He would.  Such love!  Such agape!

Oh, that we might become more like Jesus.  That we might have such agape for our brothers and sisters who have not chosen Him and those who have.  Amen!

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