THE LATEST FROM TIM SPYKSTRA:
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
THE LATEST FROM TIM SPYKSTRA:
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
Unveiling the Bride
Blog Written by Oceans board member Danell Czarnecki.
In an ancient Jewish wedding, the last step before the wedding feast is called the Nissuin, or Home-taking. Nissuin in Hebrew means “to lift or to carry.”
Prior to the Nissuin, the couple are betrothed, but living as husband and wife. The groom has gone to prepare a place in his father’s house. The bride, waits for her groom to return for her. While waiting she prepares her wedding garments and keeps her lamp lit and oil jar filled at all times for she knew not when her groom would return. She was to stay pure and faithful, and would not be seen in public without a covering over her face; separating her from others. Veiling was a form of modesty and keeping oneself holy. It also communicated that she had been betrothed to another.
It was probably easy at first. But when his return was delayed, the bride may even doubt and start to question his return.
In the same way, we are the consecrated, betrothed bride of Jesus, awaiting His return. We cannot fall into the enemy’s trap and allow doubt and fear to become our guide. We must be ready at all times for the return of our Bridegroom.
Jesus refers to the tradition, in Mark 13:32 when he tells his disciples of his return, “but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Then Jesus tells them parables to make sure they understand although He is going away it is important they live as a watchful bride; waiting for His return, living set apart for Him, and looking forward to the day when He comes again.
Once the groom’s father was satisfied that all was in order and prepared for the bride, friends of the bridegroom would sound the shofar and proclaim in the streets, “Behold the bridegroom cometh!” The bridegroom would then go with a procession to the bride’s house, usually at night, and “capture his bride.”
Once the bride and groom arrived at the father’s house, the final preparations for the wedding celebration would begin.
They would be separately immersed in the water called the Mikvah; symbolic of spiritual cleansing and to mark a new beginning. It was done as an important step in preparing the bride to receive her groom.
In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus too was immersed (baptized) by John in the waters of the Mikvah at the Jordan River.
We are also asked to be immersed; setting ourselves apart and publicly declaring our devotion to Jesus.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16)
Following the Mikvah, the bride was readied to be received by her groom, after dressing in her wedding garments, she was once again veiled, called the Badeken.
Remember the story of Jacob being tricked into marrying the veiled Leah when he thought he was marrying Rachel?
The groom would come to see the veiled bride before the celebration began, lifting the veil to confirm her identity. The bride and groom are typically alone at this point; imagine the intimacy as he lifts the veil, symbolic of two becoming one.
Let’s think about the veil the bride wears, it represents a separation of the bride from her beloved until they are joined and become one.
In the Old Testament the veil separated the Holy of Holies in the Temple, acting as a barrier between a Holy God and His people. When Jesus died on the cross the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. God had something new to say; you and I are no longer separated from Him, the veil has been lifted. We can enter into His presence without fear.
I believe we are called to be unveiled; a living parable of our life as the Bride of Christ. We are to remove our metaphoric veil and stop separating ourselves from our Beloved who loves us, and has goodness and kindness in mind for us, who call us to a new life with Him. Unlike the world, He will never hurt or disappoint.
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image…” (2 Cor. 3:18)
Let us take off the veil and live in perfect love with our bridegroom, and look forward to our Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Rev. 6-9)
