Your betrothal

'Betrothal' isn't a word we use much these days. 'Hey, guess what happened today? I got betrothed to my beloved!' Maybe the word has vanished because the idea of betrothal has disappeared. In Bible days, betrothal meant more than engagement: it was part of the marriage ritual. As soon as a couple was betrothed, they were considered one. But there wasn't an actual wedding for a year or more.

Where's this going? Well, the Church is the bride of Christ, and we're looking forward to the day when we'll get to sit with him for what the book of Revelation calls the 'marriage supper of the Lamb' (Revelation 19:9 NKJV).

Jesus' love for us is far more than the kindness of a great boss or a well-meaning charity worker. It's a love that's so strong and personal all we have to compare it to is marriage. So if we're afraid of missing out on some earthly thing - romance, success, belonging - Jesus has plans for our future that involve all these amazing earthly feelings. And then some. We're not going to miss out on anything. Until then he's making a place for us, praying on our behalf, continuing to pursue us, to bring us into 'the knowledge of [him]' (Ephesians 4:13 NIV).



So what now? If you've a friend in mind to invite to church, then do that this week. Don't worry, you don't have to mention the 'betrothal' word. But just know for yourself that your 'betrothal' to Jesus is the best thing you'll ever have.





— SCRIPTURE —

'I have betrothed you to... Christ.' 2 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

Ezra 3-5, Matt 28:1-10, Ps 42:1-5, Pro 19:12-14