From the Pastor’s Heart

We can’t turn on the television or pick up a newspaper or magazine without hearing or reading about it. For several weeks, reports have been pouring into our living rooms concerning this much-anticipated event. The world seems to have a great allure and fascination of what is already deemed the biggest travel event of the year. I speak of course about the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton. I would be curious to know how many of us will actually get up at 4:00 am and watch history in the making as Kate walks down that grand aisle of Westminster Abbey as she becomes the bride of Prince William.

It seems that everyone wants to know every detail of the wedding:
What will her wedding dress look like, and who designed it? “When the entire world will be watching your wedding ceremony, choosing the perfect wedding dress is essential,” claims one reporter.
What kind of flowers will she carry?
What will be on the menu?
What will their wedding cake look like?
And what about her wedding ring? (We already know that Prince William has chosen not to have a wedding ring.)
What will they promise one another in the way of their vows? It is also reported that Kate will promise to “love, comfort, honor and keep” her husband. She refuses to “obey.”
Will the weather cooperate?
Do the royals approve of the match?
Who is on the guest list? It has been reported that the guest list for the party of the year is out. And there are some snubs and some surprises for the royal wedding.

There are so many details and so many questions. In a few short hours we will have the answers to all of our questions. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of media attention given to this wedding.

I am equally amazed at the lack of interest and attention that our society gives to another bridegroom. We read in Revelation 21:2, “and I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…” Throughout the scriptures we are given the image of Jesus as the bridegroom and we, his people, as the bride. We see this wonderful imagery in Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding banquet in John’s gospel.

Why such little attention to the bridegroom that saves the world? Can you imagine the life changing possibilities if Jesus got the media attention and our attention that Prince William is currently receiving?

Do we care about the details of our bridegroom? Jesus, the bridegroom, wore a crown of thorns and a cross as God’s saving love was conveyed to all humanity. Jesus, the bridegroom, vows to never leave us unto the end of the age.

It has been reported that the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a marriage that will transform a ‘commoner’ into a queen. The covenant that Jesus offers us is one that transforms broken and lost sinners into transformed children of God saved by grace through faith. In my way of thinking, this marriage is far more news worthy.

I don’t know about you, but my invitation to the royal wedding must have gotten lost in the mail. But the good news for me and for you is that another invitation is extended: “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” No one is excluded. All are invited. To be sure, this invitation is the most important invitation any of us will ever receive. Have you sent in your RSVP?

Blessings,

Pastor Russel