POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE By Ron McClung “Only the attendants, the relations and a few old friends of the bride and groom witnessed the ceremony,” reported one national publication. Those privileged to be at the wedding admired the bride’s gown, a “light blue stiff silk dress, with intricate embroidery of real wheat stalks.” Readers devoured these reports, all the more because so few attended. Insulted at being left off the guest list, some were unkind in their comments about the bride’s family. Maybe they were trying to hide some family scandal. Congressmen’s wives and the diplomatic corps were particularly shrill in their indignation. After all, it was the first wedding of a sitting president ever held in the White House. On March 9, 1820, President James Monroe gave the hand of his daughter, Maria Hester Monroe, in marriage to Samuel Gouverneur. In fact, there was no scandal. First Lady Elizabeth Monroe had not been well. So Eliza, Maria’s older sister – 16 years her senior – took charge of all arrangements, including the number of guests. Following the ceremony, the company retired to the State Dining Room for a feast. The apostle John looked through the telescope of prophecy and envisioned another wedding and another feast. “For the wedding of the Lamb has come,” he wrote, “and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). What will be served at that feast? Probably heavenly hash, divinity fudge, and angel food cake! Sorry, I couldn’t resist! Seriously, the “wedding of the Lamb” is an event you don’t want to miss. The “Lamb” refers to Jesus, whom John the Baptist called, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Worshipers daily offered sacrificial lambs at the temple in Jerusalem. John recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice on the cross was so effective, it never has to be repeated. In ancient times, although a wedding was planned in general, the bridegroom might come unexpectedly to claim his bride. Similarly, we must be ready for Jesus, the bridegroom, to come. Unlike offended parties in Monroe’s day, you don’t have to be left out. The invitation has already been extended. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 15:06:22 +0000
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