The Wedding Day - Crosswalk the Devotional - May 7
The Wedding Day
By Ryan Duncan
As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. - Isaiah 62:5-6
Last weekend one of my best friends got married. The wedding took place outside at their old college, the place where the two had first met. A few of the groom’s friends and I helped raise a white tent on one of the school’s grassy fields while the bridesmaids rushed back and forth setting tables, adjusting flowers, and making everything look just right. The ceremony was beautiful. The bride and groom received their parents’ blessing, exchanged vows, and kissed with loud applause from the audience.
For me though, the best part came during the reception when the bride and groom had their first dance. As I sat there watching my friend and his wife dance to “You’re Beautiful” by Phil Wickham, it struck me why Jesus often used weddings to describe the Kingdom of God. You see, in that moment the only thing that mattered to the two of them was each other. It didn’t matter that the road to marriage had been crazy, stressful and hard. It didn’t matter that the weather wasn’t perfect or that they had to wait a few days for their honeymoon. The only thing that mattered to my friend was holding the woman he loved in his arms and knowing that she loved him in return.
Life really is like a wedding banquet. The time leading up to the ceremony will be chocked full of mistakes and uncertainty, and there will be moments when we’re unsure if we can live up to Christ’s expectations. But if we continue to believe in Christ, then on the day when we stand before him, we will realize that none of those mistakes matter anymore. All that will matter is that he loves us, and we love him in return.
Intersecting Faith and Life
Married couples, take a moment to appreciate your spouse and reflect on Christ’s blessing in your life.
Further Reading
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
