This past week the world gathered in awe to watch a family come together to watch their son marry his chosen bride of his heart. Weddings always fun, they are always stressful and they are always expensive This wedding was no exception to that rule. The cost of this wedding was in the tens of millions. A wedding fit for the grandson of a queen. You all know who I am talking about. Prince Harry’s marriage to American actress and activist Meghan Markle; the first interracial marriage in the British royal family in more than 200 years. The last being King George the III to Queen Charlotte in 1761. (The same King George that the 13 American colonies broke away from.)

Even if you didn’t see the wedding for yourself, it was hard to get away from. Footage was all over the news. Coverage of the pomp and circumstance- from the dress, to the flowers, the sermon, the gospel choir and the tears of the groom- all of it was everywhere. Even the commentators covering the NBA Playoffs that Saturday night had something to say about the royal wedding. Everyone who thought they were somebody was clamoring to have a seat at this wedding but only those who had a relationship with the happy couple ended up with an invitation.

But at the heart of all of this ceremony and celebration was a family- a kingdom- coming together to graft a new member into the family tree.

Watching what could be seen as excess splashed across the television could be a bit disillusioning until you take a step back to think. There is a ceremony being planned right now that is more elaborate and more wonderful than what Harry and Meghan just experienced. In fact the coming celebration pales in comparison. And it is being prepared just for you and me.

The U.K. and its Commonwealth has a Queen but we (Christians) are under the sovereign lordship of God the Father. He is the king of the universe. He is richer than any ruler that has ever lived. He is just. He is fair. His resources are endless…..and His son is getting married. We, the church, is His bride of choice- the bride of His heart.

In Revelation 19:6-9 we are told:

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

9 And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (English Standard Version, ESV)

Twenty-nine million Americans watched last week’s royal wedding. That is only the viewership of one country. But the royal wedding I’m talking about will be watched by the universe. Everyone will want a front row seat. But only those with a relationship with the Bridegroom will receive an invitation. Everyone wants to be a guest at this wedding. But there is just one problem. The date is blank on the wedding invitation. No one knows the day that the Bridegroom is coming to escort His bride to the wedding site. She lives in a perilous place. He must bring her to where is.

We are simply asked to be ready.

Be ready? Oh He is not asking for us to have our tux starched or our dress steamed ready to go. No In fact there is a garment at wedding waiting for each of us. Instead He is asking for us to get our hearts right and to tell a friend. You don’t even have to get the bleach out yourself. You just have to give your heart to Him. He’ll do the work. Oh you may be saying, give it to Him, but my heart has so many stains. Don’t worry. The Bridegroom has the ultimate stain remover. He did the hardest part. He paid for the wedding in His own blood. All you have to do is take His hand and receive the gift.

No one knows when the wedding is, but is closer than you think. You don’t have to be Oprah to come to this wedding; you just have to know the groom. It is the event of the ages and no one should miss it simply because they did not know. My charge to you tonight is-tell a friend. Tell your friends that Jesus is coming soon. Tell your children that Jesus is coming soon. Tell your enemies that Jesus is coming. Then show them that you are preparing your heart to meet the Bridegroom.

Be Blessed.

Fete Faith