A Match Made In Heaven : Pastor Tony Samuels
One of the most amazing relationships the Bible talks about is the relationship between Jesus and the Church. To help us better understand the love that Jesus has for the church, the Bible describes her as His bride. A bride is a woman who is about to get married; she is about to make a lifelong commitment. For two people to get married, they are telling the world that the love they have for each other is so great, they don’t want to live apart; they want to spend the rest of their lives together.
Ephesians 5:31-32 explains it well: For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. The relationship is so intimate, they merge from being two individuals to being one.
When you are one with someone, you feel what they feel. When they go through something, you go through it together. Jesus uses this love between a man and a woman to explain just how much He loves you. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church and gave himself for it.” What a standard Jesus has set for the marriage union! Jesus not only gave Himself to the Church, He was willing to die for her! Marriage is about two people giving everything to each other; it creates the perfect balance and harmony.
Mathew 18:19 says, “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.” When God puts two people together, their lives make a harmony, and through that agreement, things come to pass in their lives that manifests God’s goodness in their union.
One of the most amazing parts of the wedding ceremony is the exchanging of vows. A vow is: a solemn promise; a pledge; a personal commitment; committing oneself to an act, service or condition. So when we look at the promises of God in this light, they are not just empty words; they are His vows to us.
One of my favorites, Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Notice, He said never. Divorce is not an option concerning Christ and the Church! His promises are His vows to us; promises made, and promises kept. Church, we must understand how much He loves us! This relationship will transcend our natural life on the earth and flow into all eternity.
Church, we are being prepared for that wedding day. It is coming soon! Revelations 17:7-9 says, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” This will be an amazing event that Jesus is looking forward to, and so should we! It is going to be awesome! Our relationship with Jesus is truly a match made in heaven.
