“Preparations”

It’s here! As I sit down to write this, we are less than 24 hours from the big event. My oldest daughter is getting married Friday evening. It all kind of hit me during today’s rehearsal as we stood in the little room and practiced walking down the aisle. A year ago the man of her dreams popped the question on the side of a mountain in Colorado and preparations began. I remember telling people that they were getting married next September. It seemed such a long way off then. Now, less than 24 hours. We have been going over the last minute check lists these last couple of days. More preparations. We have been moving things from her old apartment to their new apartment. More preparations. Family and friends are gathering at the Air BnB we reserved months ago. More preparations. The dresses are hung, flowers are laid out, decorations ready to be hung. More preparations.

Friday night at 6pm (9 pm Indiana time for those following along) – No more preparations. No more last minute changes. The music will start. Her brother will walk her mom down the aisle. Her sister will be escorted by the groom’s best friend. And then she and I will take that little stroll that every little girl and dad dream about. No more preparations. Vows will be said. Kisses will be shared. Tears will undoubtedly be shed. No more preparation. Now it’s time to celebrate. The Wedding banquet is ready!

The Bible speaks of another wedding banquet. Preparations are right now being made. This will be the banquet that follows Jesus’ return when he, the bridegroom, gathers his bride, the Church for the kickoff banquet of heaven. We don’t know the day nor the hour of this grand event. More preparations. In Matthew 24-25, Jesus teaches his disciples what that day will be like and the preparations being made for it. We are told that we too must be preparing ourselves for that day.  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42″ Then no more preparations. After telling us to be alert and watchful, he tells a parable of 10 bridesmaids heading to the wedding. 5 spent their time preparing, getting ready to meet the groom. 5 did not plan ahead and when the time came were found not ready and missed the banquet.  

For each of us the return of Christ is somewhere in the future, maybe next September and it may feel like we have a lot of time to prepare for when the groom comes and the wedding happens. But if we knew that in less than 24 hours the skies would split and Jesus would come riding on the clouds, what would we do? How prepared are we? All of heaven is readying itself for when God says, “Dearly beloved…” (I don’t know what he is actually going to say) and…no more preparations! In the bigger picture of history and eternity, we have these present days to make preparations for the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb. To, by faith, dress ourselves in the clothes of righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. To extend the invitation to family and friends, even knowing that not everyone invited will come. Be diligent in our preparations. 
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7

“Are you ready?”