The High Gift of Marriage

You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called “My delight is in her,” and your land “Married”; For the Lord delights in you …
~Isaiah 62:3-4

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
~Matthew 13:45-46

Dear Molly,

This is my sixteenth letter written to you, but it will come first, before all the others. I just got back from your wedding, and I learned yet another lesson in marriage. I have been taught this before, but now I want to treasure this truth: marriage is a high gift from heaven. Husband and wife have the awesome privilege of portraying the beautiful picture of God’s love for his people.

Ryan’s love for you is intense and intentional; similarly, Christ, the Groom, pursues His cherished bride in this way. You are Ryan’s one pearl of great value; likewise, Christ purchased His pearl, His people, with His life. Christ’s love was so great that He died for His bride. I imagine Ryan’s heart was pounding with great expectation as you walked down the aisle towards him; I know God’s heart rejoices with singing when His people answer His beckoning plea of “Come.”

Your love for Ryan radiated through your beauty. Your smile and your eyes said, “I have found the one my soul loves.” We, the bride, are complete when we find our Husband, Jesus Christ. Your celebration of love at the wedding was worshipful – the bridesmaids, family, and friends. Know this also: the angels in heaven burst forth in song when one sinner, in faith, says “I do.” The preparation for your wedding was thought through explicitly and uniquely – the flowers (wow!), your exquisite dress and veil, the beautiful music. Again, we the bride, are looking forward to the day when we will stand before our Husband in unblemished white forevermore.

Thank you, Molly, for this refresher lesson concerning the intense love between the bride and groom. My heart was touched with the love you and Ryan share. I pray you will hold high this honorable gift of marriage for years to come.

Love, Chris

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
~Revelation 21:2