Daily Dose of the Word of God - Revelations 19: 6-9

Erin Pacheco, Director of Worship

Transcript

Erin Pacheco  0:06 

 
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God.  It’s Friday, January 9, but Sunday is coming. I’m Erin Pacheco.  We are listening to Jesus’ invitation to come and see — come and see who he is, and what it means to follow him.  Today’s scripture is from the book of Revelation. Revelation 19:6-9

Erin Pacheco 0:32  

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”

Erin Pacheco  1:12  

I love a good wedding. Families and friends coming together, the anticipation in the air, the best clothes and decorations and food and music and all the attention to detail. Months of planning culminate in the most important moment — when “I do” becomes forever and two lives are joined as one.  When God gives John a vision of heaven, a vision of the invisible realm and of the age to come, he shows him a wedding feast — echoing the words of the prophets in the Old Testament, who pictured a coming day when wine would flow freely and food would be abundant and joy would last forever. And when heaven and earth would become one. All of history, the whole story of the Bible, points to this moment — the wedding of the Lamb. When Jesus comes for his bride, and the hosts of Heaven erupt in praise. I often forget about this image of the church as the bride of Christ. His pursuit of her, his love for her, his sacrifice to set her free and make her beautiful. Revelation says she is dressed in fine linen, which is given to her. She is clothed in righteousness that is not her own. Later in this chapter, the fine clean linen of the saints is contrasted with the clothes of Jesus, which are stained with blood. His own. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” And how unworthy are we to be called his bride — and yet he chooses us to be joined together with him forever. Maybe that’s why, in John’s gospel, Jesus’ first sign happens at a wedding. So this Sunday, you’re invited to attend a wedding with Jesus. Come with anticipation. Come and worship. Come and see. 

Erin Pacheco 3:32  

Let’s pray. Jesus, thank you for moving heaven and earth to be with your people and make us your own. Thank you for the blood that washes us clean. Help us to live this day clothed with your righteousness, and help us to love you and honor you with all that we are. Amen.