I was recently the best man in one of my good friends wedding. Hands down, it was one of my favorite weddings I’ve ever been apart of.
Why?
Because it shadowed the fullness of God and what He’s like more than I’ve ever seen.
Throughout the entire night they displayed two beautiful insights into the nature and character of our God in heaven.
First, they showed God is a God of covenant.
Second, they showed God is a God of celebration.
Have you ever noticed how beautiful the ceremony really is? Have you ever felt the weight of being involved in that special moment? Marriage isn’t a human invention. In it God Almighty is peeling back the curtain saying on His creation saying, “look! This is exactly like you and me!” For some reason unbeknownst to us He chose marriage above anything to uniquely display what it’s like for Him to interact and relate to us.
Everything from the vows, to the bride wearing white, are all but shadows of deeper realities. Like the bride, when we trust in Jesus, we are clothed in perfection. It’s not that we’re not dirty or not wicked, but Jesus’ righteousness has clothed us in white (free of charge), so the Groom sees us as beautiful, spotless, holy, and blameless.
One of my favorite things to do at weddings is watch the Groom’s face when the bride comes in. Everyone stands. People become silent. It’s a holy moment. What’s He do? He begins to beam with joy, tears, and love. He longs for her. He has waited for her. And finally she is here. That is Jesus with us! He longs for us, He waits for us, and He truly does rejoice and delight in us like a husband to his bride. Do you believe that?
And the most beautiful thing is it’s the beginning of a covenant relationship. There is no breaking it. There is no turning away. The promise is stronger than the will of the two individuals. Neither spouse is an employee to be fired, but a husband and wife to be loved. And that is love.
But…..
What typically happens after the ceremony?
Everyone celebrates!
I get so upset and grieved at the fact that some of the most boring weddings I’ve ever been to are Christian ones. Do we not know we are giving a false testimony to the character of God when we do that? God isn’t a buzzkill. Some receptions I’ve been to, if my eyes were closed, I wouldn’t be able to tell if I was at a funeral or a wedding.
That happens a lot because people have been fooled to think God is a righteous judge (which he is), but not a loving Father that delights in us and wants to lavish joy and gifts on us.
Here’s a newsflash: Jesus partied.
Here’s another newsflash: Religious people didn’t.
Which one are you?
Have you ever noticed that? Jesus actually got invited to parties. Religious people didn’t. Jesus was a God of celebration. He wanted to display the Kingdom as a place of feast, celebration, and partying. That’s why when asked about the Kingdom He responded multiple times by comparing it to a wedding feast and celebration!
Not to mention Jesus’ first miracle was at a party, and He was the one that supplied the alcohol (or for you Baptists, He supplied the grape juice). Whatever. Who cares what was in the cup, all we know is that there was something in the cup and people were getting it poppin’.
Disclaimer: Just because I know people can take this the wrong way I’m not saying to get drunk, go crazy, or any of that. I’m saying Jesus throws parties and His are way better than the ones you’re thinking of because they don’t make you sick the next day.
Sometimes I just laugh when I walk by those street preachers on the corner. They are going to be so awkward when they get to heaven when they realize it’s just one big party with the King. Who knows, they might even be so bold to tell Jesus to turn down the music.
So, next time you go to a wedding, look for these beautiful shadows, and walk away remembering these great truths. The ceremony is nothing but God showing He’s a God of covenant, and the reception is nothing but God showing He’s a God of celebration.
Forget neither, and revel in both.
God loves.
God celebrates.
What else have you noticed at a wedding that shows a deeper reality? What’s your favorite one?
2 recent weddings… One was the summer of 2010, the bride and groom washed each others feet. Both wore TOMS with their wedding attire. True LOVE was shown..
The other wedding this past year January 2012, there was again so much LOVE in the room, I actually cried because the songs, and the Bible verses and love used was almost beyond words. You could feel the Holy Spirit in the church.
I look forward to your wedding and hearing about it via your website and your video’s and your posts.
God Bless…
wow! thank you for sharing that is awesome!
I have to agree with you that the grooms face is my favorite part. That’s what I keep dreaming about for the day I get married: just to see his face. I agree that weddings should be FULL of excitement and celebration!!! Now at a Christian wedding, I probably wouldn’t recommend any kind of alcohol…lol…but dancing….music….games….amazing food….I don’t want to be the one to give that “Christian (or in this case ‘religious people’) are boring and you CAN’T have fun if your saved! That’s SUCH a lie!!! I hate when people express to me that THAT is their interpretation of Christianity. How sad. We should almost be ashamed at ourselves. We are supposed to make Christianity attractive to those who don’t believe, but NEVER compromise in our values and biblical standards. God is awesome and mighty and GREAT! Why not display that for the whole world to see??? Especially in the act of “holy matramony”? Think about it. -God’s Daughter
I think it’s amazing to think about how marriage fulfills every level of community, not because we’re fulfilled by the other person, but because they are pushing us into to Jesus in all things. I also think it’s awesome to realize the way a husband and wife interact with each other( – Sin) is the way Jesus interacts with the Church. The way that He leads her, the way She submits to him.
I agree with a lot of what you said, except your comment about street preachers. I know your love for Jesus and his church, as we’ve had some good conversations that testify of that. Nevertheless, there are those who are called by God to preach on the streets and testify “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” It is hardly a message they WANT to preach, but the Spirit of God compels them like Jeremiah. Great is their reward in heaven.
yes tyler, it was obviously a generalization. But, I have seen on a whole the ones on the street who preach in such a way where it’s not the gospel its simply yelling. So I’d agree with you, some are called by God to do so, but some aren’t.
Amen! I have never really thought about it that way. I definitely want my wedding to be a celebration! It’s a joyous occasion
Honestly in my lifetime,(55 years, I have not been to a great number of weddings. But those I DID attend, I doubt few if any realized the implications of all that you are speaking of Jeff. The ceremonies invoke all kinds of blessing and requests from God, but they have been earthly focused, even if it is a church wedding. I’m glad you have attended this type of wedding that inspires you. I’m certain there are many such weddings that I have not attended!
The deeper reality that I seen in weddings is the vows.
God made vows to us (promises) that He has told us to keep a hold of and to remember that it will come to pass in our lives as we live our Christian devoted life to Him. As a bride and groom make vows to one another (either the standard vows or ones we write ourselves), we too are making promises to one another. But at the same time we are including God in our promise by either including Him or doing it in His name. Vows are something dear and personal to the two lives that are being brought together. God’s promises are one of the things that keep us dear to His heart. It’s hard to explain something so personal because it may mean something else to others.
By the way… I loved how you put this article about celebrations in relation to God. Loved it!
What are the bible references to the kingdom of feast, celebration, and partying?
Luke 14:15-24, Matthew 22:1-14, John 2, Luke 15 (what the Father throws for the Prodigal Son).
The best wedding I’ve ever been to was a renewal of vows by a couple who had become Christians after their marriage. The main focus of the ceremony was on Jesus and how He had changed them since the first time they’d said their vows. It was absolutely beautiful; I’ll never forget it.
Great post dude, I for one often really need to lighten up and focus on God’s awesome goodness and grace – as CJ Mahaney says: I am far better than I deserve.
I long for, and pray that one day I will be able by God’s grace to be a husband and love my wife like Christ loves his church.
Keep it up man, blessings to you and your fiance!
Jeff that is so true! We forget to be joyous about the most joyous thing..! God gives us reminders often that we should celebrate. Look at all of the festivals in the old testament that he commanded so that we would celebrate!
Yes! Jesus knows how to have a good time!
Some cultures ( Jewish, Spanish, blacks) seem to have fun anywhere!!
.I have been to several weddings.. As a wedding photographer.. As a Bride’s Maid… And as a friend/ observer. I’ve had
the good fortune to attend several Christian Weddings. And they were NOT boring! We had good, clean, fun in Jesus!
As a Maid of Honor, I remember a lady saying she appreciated that I served the Bride. I moved her train… At
The alter…. Anticipated her needs..taking her flowers.. Helped her with her makeup… Anything SHE needed. I was suprised, that lady was suprized! When did weddings ever become about how good the “bridal party” LOOkS?
My Pastor’s Parents renewed their vows after 55 yrs of Marriage! That was so encouraging to see! I felt so much love… The couple’s legacy of 9 grown children.. Half In Ministry as Pastors.. With Grand kids… And great grands.. They were too poor to have a real wedding 55 yrs ago. They even shared how they made .5 payments for
The rings! ($25 total for
The Set!)
.Just to see the love and how much this man Cherrished his bride after all that time! The Bride was Still beaming!! Being surrounded & loved by her family!
The last wedding that was so memorable.. It Was when I worked, as a photographer.
The parents obviously was very involved in the couple’s courtship. You could feel the love from both sides of the families. It was
An average (200 peepes..? ) ceremony..
But the Reception was quite a bit smaller.. Maybe 75? The parents made an announcement.. They said for
Us to look around… Notice every one eles..who were in the room… We were the new Couple’s accountability partners…! When this couple faces problems in the future.. We were to step up.to.. Encourage.. Lift up.. & give Godly Counsel…. Wow!! I felt
The weight and seriousness of
Covenant at that moment! I was in awwwe… And honored that they choose me to be a part of the ceremony!:)
My favorite part is definately the grooms face and the father/daughter dance..too emosh!
Btw I just noticed and loved how bold and fearless you are becoming…(Eph 6:19-20) your maturity in- and knowledge of Christ is becoming more and more evident!! God is good!
In my life I have struggled a lot with what it meant to be a Christian. I have been the bible-basher, the fake believer and I have even walked away from God in the last few years. I am very glad to be able to say that I am back in His arm again, and now I understand better than ever. I love your post, because it is exactly what God has shown me the past year. Being a student I am exposed to a lot and it is difficult to discern between what I can do and what not. God has taught me exactly what you have written here, that He wants to enjoy life with us!!! He wants us to celebrate it with Him!! He also showed me a beautiful picture of Him standing at the alter waiting for me (the bride). The joy he had when I walked down the aisle was exactly as you described here. And with this he told me that he has already chosen us, he loves us and that will never change. He rejoices over us just like a groom rejoices over his bride!! To be a Christian is like being a bride, walking down the aisle toward the only man who loves us unconditionally, and has forgiven everything. Our life is like the long walk toward Him and with every step we get that much closer that much more intimate. It my greatest desire to be in such an intimate relationship with God. He loves us so much. I just thought to share this because the post made me think of that image the whole time.
Thanks Jeff, I really liked this post.
The more I understand Gods grace, the more its a blast.
Now, its confirmed, Im doing the cupid shuffle at my wedding
I love this!!!! I married my best friend at the start of the year, and the look on his face as i walked down the aisle was beautiful, just as you said. We spent a lot of time with our pastor in working out how we wanted the ceremony to go. And God joined the party! We had the most blessed day, He pulled out all the stops for us and we still have (not yet followers of Christ) friends talking about how much Joy and Love and Goodness they felt all day, which was unlike anything they had felt before. I love that we are the bride of Christ, and he chose such a significant day in our human existence to share with us, oh so clearly, how he wants us to be! And I have always felt that my brothers and sisters in Christ are the best people to throw parties, because they understand true celebration! We’ve got the victory! God is Gooood!!!
wow! i really enjoyed reading this.
I completely agree. After I was saved at 18, I was around a lot of “religious” people. I kept myself from doing things that struck inappropriate to Christians. When we have to remember we aren’t working for our salvation nor should we walk with a holier than thou attitude. Jesus calls us to righteousness bc he is righteous but I am a sinner & will always fall short. Grace is a gift
I was a bridesmaid in my friends wedding last August & her reception was happenin! I absolutely love to dance. A lot of Christians frown upon it but there are several references in the bible about dancing. Jesus loves it when we dance for him! I find so much comfort in that. Even if ur off beat, he doesn’t care if u have a pure heart about it 
I have an internship this summer with the Atlanta Dream Center Princess Night. This ministry goes out into the streets of ATL to give prostituted women a rose, to tell her she is beautiful & loved. We offer prayer & even a chance off the streets if she wants. This ministry has taught me so much already. With what these women are going through (even the men[pimps&johns]), language or modesty, for example, is the last thing you should be worried about. I have learned we shouldn’t be sitting so high we can’t reach the ones who have fallen. God is good! And still teaching, correcting, & sanding me down to be like him!