Jesus The Bridegroom comes riding on a donkey. And Matthew says, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying . . . ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden’†(Matthew 21:4-5). The people spread their cloaks on the road, and cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road, and went before him and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!â€
Hosanna means “salvation†or “deliverance.†So they were saying: “Here comes our Deliverer, our Savior! Salvation belongs to the Son of David, the Messiah! Here he is. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.â€
I want to focus on this truth: Jesus is not just a king; he is a betrothed King—an engaged King. And soon he will be a married King. His betrothed bride is the people of God—the people who trust him, elect from every race and nation, the church. He came the first time 2,000 years ago to die for his bride—to pay a dowry, as it were, with his own blood. And he will come a second time to marry her and take us—his church—into the gardens and the chambers of his love and joy forever.
We went to a wedding last week and all eyes were turned to the bride. She usually is the focal point of the entire ceremony, adorned in purest white. She was absolutely glowing with love, filled with anticipation, and enjoying the excitement of the wedding ceremony and the reception to come.
When it was time for her to walk down the aisle, all eyes were upon her. All but mine. For some reason I was drawn to look at the groom. My goodness, he had such a look of love upon his face! He was so absorbed with his future bride walking down that aisle, I believe his attention couldn’t have been deterred if it had to ! The devotion of his heart spoke through his eyes, which were transfixed upon his bride. He waited with confident expectation as she drew nearer and nearer to him, finally to take her rightful place beside him.
Jesus is a bridegroom, also. He is waiting for the “church,” his “bride” to make all the necessary preparations to join him at the altar. He waits with great anticipation and enormous love in his heart as the church grows and gathers in number until the perfect time when we will be joined with Him. I can just picture the love in His eyes and the joy in His heart when we (the Church) finally move down the aisle toward our rightful place beside Him.
Jesus has been patient as he waits for us to fulfil the great commission — to take the gospel and spread it to all the world. It may not be much longer before the “marriage of the bride” and the “wedding supper of the lamb”.(Rev.19:9) happens! What a time of rejoicing that will be!
