DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 5, 2013
WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM IS AWAY
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:15
When the bridegroom was near, we rejoiced and were merry. We felt delightful because of His presence. We laughed. We smiled. We danced. This is how the disciples felt when Jesus was bodily on the earth, alive and present. They could touch him. They could see him preaching the good news. They could hear his wonderful voice. They could rest on the ship with him, knowing that He could calm any storm. What a marvelous time it was when the bridegroom was near. There was no time for mourning then.
But when the bridegroom is away, we mourn and feel lonely, even sad. We want to be near him again. We want to see His smile and hear him preaching. But Jesus said that it was necessary for him to go away: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7)
Yes, the Comforter has come as our provision for the deep loneliness that probably would have engulfed us. We would not have survived the emptiness and loss of our Saviour. With the Comforter, we have hope as we fast and wait, ever believing that we will be reunited with the one we LOVE. The Comforter gives the Church grace to wait and hold on, as He prepares the bride for her soon coming King!
So yes, while the bridegroom is away, we feel sad, and lonely, and mourn and fast-- but we are thanking God for the blessed Holy Spirit who is causing us to rejoice in hope, preparing us for the marriage supper of the Lamb, and transforming us anew so that when we see Him we will be just like Him.
Today, rejoice in hope!
