Lenten Lesson: The bridegroom cometh

Friday, April 3, 2009
The Rev. Jason Van Pelt speaks at Friday's Lenten Lesson at St. Alban's Church. (Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

Wedding planning in the 21st century has become so complex, an entire industry has formed around it. Color coordination, dresses, flowers, ministers, location, reception, honeymoon, it boggles the mind.

We have it easy. At least when compared to a Jewish wedding in the time of Jesus. The entire event is carefully orchestrated following 12 primary traditions. The Rev. Jason VanPelt, associate pastor at McCook Christian Church, outlined the requirements as he uncovered the meaning of the parable of "The Ten Bridesmaids" found in Matthew 25:1-13 for a community congregation of 96 at the 2009 Community Lenten Service Friday at St. Alban's Episcopal Church.

1. Selection of the bride. Typically done by the bridegroom's father, who makes arrangements with the bride's father. In some cases, the couple may have never even seen one another.

Similarly, VanPelt said, "We haven't yet laid eyes on Jesus. But we, too, as the church and therefore as the bride of Christ; we have been chosen by his father."

2. The bridal price is paid. Part of the arrangements made between the fathers of the couple is determining and paying the price of the bride.

"We, too, are bought with a price," said VanPelt, "that price being the shed blood of Jesus."

3. Betrothal period. This is when the parties involved enter into a legally binding covenant. A marriage contract is prepared and presented, containing all of the promises between the bride and his bridegroom, much as our covenant promises with Jesus are written in the Word of God, VanPelt explained.

4. Bride's consent. The prospective bride has to agree, to the match and to the covenant. "She still has a say at this point," said VanPelt. "Just as we have a say, we have to choose. God does not force us, we must freely choose to enter this covenant relationship."

5. Cup of the covenant. A glass of wine is shared between the parties to "seal the deal," said VanPelt, continuing, "The second cup of the covenant is shared at the wedding feast." Jesus drank the "cup of the new covenant" on the night he was betrayed, and vowed not to "drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." (Luke 22:18)

6. Gifts for the bride from the bridegroom. These were designed to remind the maiden of the covenant with her bridegroom while they waited for the coming marriage.

Jesus has gifted us as well, said VanPelt, "the Holy Spirit is our gift from Jesus, giving to us reminders of him, of his gentleness, of his compassion, and in fact gifting us with those same attributes, growing in us the fruits of the spirit."

7. Mikvah: a bath of ritual purification in a pool of living water signifying the separation between the old life as a maid and the new life as a bride. VanPelt equated this step with the believer's baptism, a ritual signifying a purification and a separation between natural life and new life in Christ.

8. Departure of the bridegroom. The couple now separates. The bridegroom has work to do. He must prepare the couple's wedding chamber, typically located in his father's house. These preparations may take 12 months or more, as he has to make provision for the couple to spend their first seven days of marriage within this chamber. The bridegroom's father oversees the preparation and only he has the authority to say, when it is done, "Go and get your bride."

"Go and get your bride," repeated VanPelt with emotion. "When the time is just right, when everything is ready, our Father will say to Jesus, 'Go and get your bride.'"

9. Consecration of the bride. While the bridegroom is getting the chamber ready for the couple, the bride is preparing her gown, learning about perfumes, make up, and how to please her bridegroom. And she is gathering up the things they will need to build a life together, all while faithfully waiting for his call.

"We have responsibilities," said VanPelt, "to don clothes of righteousness, discarding the cloaks of darkness. We must be storing our treasures in heaven, and above all, remain faithful, always confident that our bridegroom is coming."

10. The bridegroom returns. "Traditionally, the bridegroom would come in the night, accompanied by the blowing of the shofar, announcing his arrival to come and take his bride home," said VanPelt, again drawing an apt comparison to the promised return of the Christ, who will come "as a thief in the night" at the sound of a loud trumpet.

This is the moment when the wisdom or the foolisness of the 10 bridesmaids is revealed, said VanPelt. Queen Esther, before she was queen, spent a year preparing herself, as did many other women vying for the honor of queen. Queen Esther was prepared and she was selected, while others were rejected.

Just the same, five bridesmaids had spent their time of waiting faithfully preparing for the promised return of the bridegroom, while the other five neglected their duties.

"Some will be surprised," VanPelt warned, "thinking that since they showed up at church and were familiar with the Bible, that they are prepared, only to hear the bridegroom say as he says to these foolish five, "I do not know you."

It's about relationship, admonished VanPelt. Know the bridegroom, know what pleases him, know that his promises are true, and though the wait is long, know it is not in vain. "Be ready, the bridegroom comes."

11. The homecoming. The bridegroom takes his bride to the place he has prepared for her, just as Jesus will one day take us, promised VanPelt, to the "place prepared for you, so that where I am there you may also be." (John 14:3)

12. The marriage supper. The new couple, as mentioned before, spend seven full days in the chamber, isolated from the world, in close communion only with one another and when the seven days are accomplished, they emerge, and thus begins the wedding feast, "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Revelation 19:9

Will we be ready, asked VanPelt. Will we have treasures stored in heaven. Will Jesus know us? Will we know him?

When the time of the wedding has come, Van Pelt asked in conclusion, will the original words of the traditional marriage introit, "Here Comes the Bride" be found in us?

"Faithfully guided, draw near

to where the blessing of love shall preserve you!

Triumphant courage, the reward of love,

joins you in faith as the happiest of couples!

Champion of virtue, proceed!

Jewel of youth, proceed!" (from the German opera "Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner)

The Rev. Allan Jackson, pastor at First Baptist Church, welcomed the community congregation and lead in prayer. Sheryl Havens again played the organ and lead in the singing of "Sleepers Awake! A Voice Astounds Us."

A quartet from Memorial United Methodist Church, Marilyn and Phil Goodenberger, Kathy Latta and Greg Hepp, sang "Give Me Jesus" in four part harmony while Marie Coffey accompanied them on the piano.

Members of McCook Christian Church provided a luncheon of cheese lasagna, chicken casserole or a crabmeat casserole, a selection of salads and rich desserts for the final Lenten luncheon.

The series concludes Friday with the traditional Cross Walk through downtown McCook, departing from Memorial United Methodist Church at 11:15 a.m. The walk ends at St. Alban's Episcopal Church at 12:05 p.m., for the reading of the Good Friday Liturgy.

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  • The ancient Jewish wedding as explained by Van Pelt was right on the mark.I wish more people would ask questions rather then dismis the catching away of the bride ,out of hand (The rapture).I do though have a contraversy about the socalled good friday thing which is totaly wrong.Listen,this is what really happened the week of the crusifiction.By the way ,this year ,it fell exactly the same as it did 2000 years ago.The trouble with most pastors is that they go by the Gregorian calender when they should use the Jewish calender.And the evening and the morning were the first day!!! Tuesday was the preperation day ,6 pm Tuesday to 6 pm Wednesday .Jesus was crucified wednesday and put in the tomb before 6 pm.the next day was an high day,a special Sabbath Thursday to 6 pm.6 pm thursday to 6pm Friday .then 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Saturday .Three full days and nights in the heart of the earth just as JESUS had said He would be.And very early in the morning while it was yet dark ,Mary and the other came to the tomb but the Angel told them that He was already risen.He was already gone .Yes the Angel did roll back the stone and there was an earthquake ,but it was just to show them that JESUS was not there but risen.The Roman Catholic church in early days changed the calenders and corrupted the real story of the death and resurection of our dear SAVIOUR JESUS the CHRIST.Listen most people have questioned the Friday to Sunday story but not having the true knowledge of what really happened ,leaves most people confused which is very sad indeed.The Word of GOD is rich in Truth ,all one has to do is search and ask GOD to show them the Truth.After all Jesus Himself said "I am the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE" did He not???I hope i have not confused anyone.A companion bible with the 198 appendixes is a great tool to learn the truth.Shalom to all who read this.

    -- Posted by tzionbenjudah on Sat, Apr 25, 2009, at 6:47 PM
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