22 Feb The Kingdom of God Is Like a Wedding Party
As a daddy of two delightful daughters, you quickly learn that they start thinking about their wedding from a young age.
Some years ago when we only had two of our five children, we took them to Disney World. Late one night, our oldest daughter asked me to take her swimming in the Mickey Mouse pool even though it was way past bedtime. Daddy and daughter went for a late-night swim, and I will never forget her laughing over and over as I flipped her into the air so she could crash into the water.
Back in the hotel room, I stood my lovely little lady up on the bed and grabbed a towel to start drying her long thick dark hair. I will never forget what happened next. She grabbed the ends of the white towel that covered her head like a veil, and with a smile asked, “Daddy, will you marry me?”
In full confession, I just lost it and started crying. I kissed her on the head, told her how much I loved her, and vowed that I would be the main man in her life until one day her husband came along. And, I prayed over her, thanking God for her and praying for her future.
The Bible opens with a wedding between Adam and Eve with God officiating the ceremony in Genesis 2:21–25. The Bible closes with a wedding between Jesus and the Church in Revelation 19:6–9. In between the first and last weddings, there are many weddings, including the one where Jesus’ first miracle took place when He turned water into wine at a wedding in John 2:1–12. It makes sense that Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding party.
Oftentimes, heaven is portrayed as an odd place where we sit on clouds wearing diapers strumming harps forever. To be honest, that sounds like hell to me. Thankfully, the Bible portrays heaven as a big party thrown by Jesus with great people enjoying perfect relationships. Isaiah 25:6 explains it this way, “The Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines.”
Who doesn’t love a good party with music, food, and lots of laughter with great people? Imagine how awesome the eternal party will be with Jesus picking up the tab and planning the festivities? That’s what heaven will be for God’s people forever!
What is the best party you have ever been to? What made it memorable?
