Have You Said Yes to the Bridegroom?
Jesus gave Himself up for us, as the Lamb, not just because it was His duty, or His calling. It's because He loves us more than we can know.
This is why later in the book of Revelation, John reminds us that we are in fact the Bride of the Lamb.
We Are the Bride of the Lamb
In Revelation 19, we read John saying: "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.' (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)" (Revelation 19:6-8)
Remember, this is metaphorical language. This type of writing uses pictures to describe an aspect of reality. So, Jesus is a Lamb metaphorically of course, because He is pure and innocent, and died on the cross.
He did it for love. This is a greater concept than the Old Testament Passover. The lamb in the Old Testament sacrifice was just an animal. There was no affection between the people of God, and the lamb they would sacrifice to atone for their sin. It was just a transaction.
Jesus offers so much more.
More Than a Transaction
Many people don't get this. They do the transactional thing: I'll come to Jesus, and He'll forgive my sins - but it's all business and no relationship.
Jesus offers not just a transaction, but relationship. He shed His blood because He loves us more than we could ever know. The people of God are His bride, collectively.
I think this is tough for us men to get our heads around. No man wants to be a bride! But Jesus spoke about Himself as the bridegroom, when He was on earth. The people, collectively, that He loves, make up His bride.
Again, this is picture language. It's a picture to describe how close we are to Jesus, how united we are to Him - living life with Him, making our decisions in conjunction with Him.
We sing songs to the Lamb, ultimately, because we have discovered that He loves us deeply and we’re invited to love Him too.
Have You Said Yes to Jesus?
Question: are you feasting with Jesus? Are you deeply in love with Him? Deeply committed to Him? Spending much time with Him and singing your love songs to Him?
He loves you. He knows you and wants you to be His.
Remember, He is worthy of this. It's not like a normal human being with their mixed motives and selfishness somewhere in their thinking. Jesus is worthy, He is perfect, He is the Son of God. He invites you to be His!
Say yes!
Couples these days who get engaged often post a picture on their social media or WhatsApp status where the bride-to-be says "I said yes!", and there’s a picture of her with her new ring.
Have you "said yes" to the Bridegroom (capital B)?
The One who loved you so much He gave Himself up in your place, came back from the dead to live with you forever. Say yes!
Jesus didn't die for you out of duty - He died for love. His people are called the Bride of the Lamb. Have you said "yes" to Him?