I love everything about weddings. Even as a young girl I imagined what my own wedding would be like. I'm sure I'm not the only little girl who ever pinned a pillowcase to my head and pretended it was a cathedral length veil made of fine Venetian lace. I've been a bridesmaid, a bride and even a wedding coordinator. Perhaps that's why I've always been intrigued by the use of wedding imagery in the Bible. The Scriptures portray Christ as the divine Bridegroom and the church His bride. God has authored an incredible love story, and like all good love stories it ends with a glorious wedding.  

During Bible times, the Jewish marriage experience had three distinct phases, each leading into the next. The beginning of the Jewish marriage phase was called shiddukin, the arrangement phase. During this time usually the father of the bridegroom chose a bride for his son, the details of the arrangement were negotiated, the mohar or bride price was paid, and the betrothal covenant was ratified.

Today the church is in the second phase of the Jewish marriage experience called kiddushin, the betrothal phase. In this issue of On Mission we'll explore this time of engagement and what it means for the church. Read "The Bride of Christ" on page 32.

Before departing, Christ entrusted His bride with a mission. The completion of that mission is a critical part of the church's preparation for His return. His call-both individual and collective-is to tell the world about Him.

I'll never forget the day I became engaged to Keith. I couldn't wait to tell my friends and family the wonderful news. I made at least a few dozen phone calls. In the weeks and months to come I spent countless hours making plans for the big day. I poured over the guest list and searched for correct addresses, careful not to leave anyone out. I labored over every single detail-from the bridesmaid's dresses, every hand-addressed invitation, down to the final stem and petal of each bouquet.
Shouldn't we be just as intentional and excited about how we prepare for Christ's return? We need to passionately labor to prepare the church for her Bridegroom and devote ourselves to sharing the message of eternal life. ?As the Bride of Christ we should be about the business of inviting nonbelievers to the wedding banquet.

Much of the ancient Jewish betrothal preparations for the bride and bridegroom were practical. She had wedding garments to prepare; he had to build an addition to his father's house. But the most important preparations were spiritual. The Hebrew word for betrothal, kiddushin, means sanctified-set apart, holy. Just as the Jewish bride was to remain pure for her bridegroom, Christ's church is to remain holy and undividely focused on Him while awaiting His return.

Have you ever witnessed the transformation of a bride-to-be on her wedding day? An amazing change takes place when she steps into the white gown and places the veil on her head. The average woman is suddenly transformed into a storybook princess.

As we await Christ's return, today's church is in the process of divine transformation. Everyone we encounter should see evidence of Christ's radiance working in our lives. We are truly a work in progress-those who have received Christ are being made perfect. And when the time comes for the wedding of the Lamb we will be permitted to wear the finest white linen (Revelation 19:8). God is in the process of transforming us into a unified, holy bride. And on the day of Christ's return our transformation will be complete.

Throughout the betrothal phase of the Jewish marriage experience, the bridegroom's father played a central role. He assisted in preparing for the wedding banquet-a celebration that could last up to a week. He also determined the starting date of the wedding banquet. Just as in ancient times, Jesus works closely with his Father to prepare for the wedding of the Lamb. God continues to play the central role. Together the Father and Son prepare for the coming celebration. The Scriptures tell us that God is preparing something humanly unimaginable (1 Corinthians 2:9).Who are you inviting to the celebration?

Carol Pipes, editor
cpipes@namb.net