The day had finally come! The time was set. The schedules had been rearranged. Her whole family would be there. I was going to commune with my bride.
It seemed that the world was busy and I had some trouble getting to the church. The easiest roads were completely blocked. I had to wait a long time in my car. I even had a fender bender on my way because of the long delays and my hurried rush. I was very apologetic to those I’d accidentally bumped into, explaining how desperate I was to see my bride!
Finally, I arrived. I had brought so many wonderful things to show her! I had such beautiful gifts! I wanted to give them all to her, proving my undying love. Naturally, I was loaded down with my baggage and I needed a place to regroup before meeting her. I did not enter the church immediately. Instead, went next door and began to gather my best possessions and prepare them for my love.
As I worked and labored tirelessly to bring out the very best for her, I began to hear low voices talking in the next room. I tried not to eavesdrop, but the door was open and they were speaking of me. It was the heads of my bride’s households. They were the respected, the wise of her family. I knew them well, I thought.
I tried to hurry so as not to interrupt or overhear, but they became louder, clearer.
“He’s not who he says he is.” they agreed. “He only seeks to do harm.” On and on they went tearing me down and doubting my good and honorable intentions for their family. Not one stood up in disagreement. Not one loved me. Their consensus was clear.
Broken, my heart dashed to pieces in an instant, I felt confused. Why couldn’t they see me? How could they not know me? I didn’t know what to do. Should I pack my treasures up and go? Should I enter their meeting and ask them why? Should I pretend I didn’t hear and continue setting up my gifts? I was wrecked.
By now, my bags were empty. My heart was empty. I was so cold I could barely breathe. You see, this wasn’t the first bride I’d sought undyingly. This wasn’t the first time I’d been rejected, misunderstood, and mistaken for a fraud. But everything I had was now lying on the floor. And I had no where else to go. My own family had begun to arrive and they were expecting friends, love, and laughter here. How could I tell them we had been abandoned? How could I go on?
Just then the bride’s father walked out of the meeting. He acted surprised to see me, but he pretended to love me. He acted like nothing ill of me had been said. But I had heard him. He had agreed several times. I knew his kindness was just a cover.
I asked him about the wedding and he said he had forgotten. Forgotten? Forgotten! Forgotten.
He walked over to the church as if to let me in. His wife answered the locked doors with great concern. It sounded as though he sought half-heartedly to defend me, but she disallowed any hint of inclusion.
“We’re sorry,” she said, “this is a sanctified family only party. You cannot come in here.” Many signs stating the same became apparent as I peered into the heavily guarded sanctuary.
I hung my head and held the hands of those who’d come for me – my own, still very lost, family. Overwhelmed with tears, we did not force our way in. We didn’t fight. We grieved in silence for the bride we never knew. ~Jesus
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you;depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. ~Matthew 7:21-23
This is so beautiful. This is how I feel about so many “Christians” that I have met in my life. It really grieves my spirit the way many “Christians” spit in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ everyday.
I wish more people would read your blog. Lori, you are such a gift from God.
“Shiloh”
Thanks, Tim. I just pray that I don’t turn Christ away when he knocks on my door.
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Very powerful…thank you for posting this.