D.L.

A few days ago, the BBC did an article about a mystery wedding crusher. It happened some time ago, in Scotland.
The couple, after looking at their wedding photos they discovered that a tall man, dressed in a dark suit, was at the wedding ceremony and managed to get into some of the wedding photographs!
The couple asked friends and family, and no one was able to identify him. So, they decided to post some photos on Facebook and ask around. After a while, the man was found.
So, the man in question arrived at the wedding on time, but it wasn’t until he saw the bride walking down the aisle that he realised he was in the wrong wedding! So, after the ceremony he quickly left the wedding and headed to the one he was invited to, which was far away. He arrived late!
This September, in Dunfanaghy and Carrigart, we are looking into the nature of the Church. Last week, we discussed the Church as the Body of Christ, and this morning, we are sharing about the Church, the Bride of Christ.
The thing about weddings is that you can only attend if you receive a special invitation from the bride and bridegroom; it usually comes from the father of the bride. It is a family event where two people come together to make a covenant with God and a contract with society, committing to remain together from their wedding day onward.
If you are invited, it is an absolute joy because they consider you a worthy guest! Whether you are a family member or a close friend, the invitation is a sign that you’re welcome, and we are delighted that you can join us!
So, this morning in Church, I will be sharing about the honour and privilege that we have as Christians when we are called the Bride of Christ. Jesus has issued your invitation because He sees you and me as the most beautiful, holy, forgiven, and redeemed bride, whom He will take for Himself when He returns.
Like a Jewish wedding, where the couple are engaged legally for a year before they get together, we too live in the expectancy waiting for the Lord’s return.
This is the time when we need to grow in purity, through the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
I hope and pray that you receive an invitation; you need to accept it. One thing I know, when this wedding takes place, there will be no room for a wedding crusher, it will be too late for that!