When my dad would leave for his two weeks’ active duty in the Navy Reserves every year, he would tell me I needed to be “the man of the house” and take care of my mother. He didn’t expect me to take care of things that were beyond an eight year-old like fixing the washing machine or drive to the store for milk, but it didn’t stop me having fantasies of wrestling a robber to the ground in the middle of the night to save mom.
In many ways, Jesus wants us to take care of His bride, the church, until He returns.
I. Ephesians 5:25-27. As Paul spoke with the Ephesian elders, he states that Jesus’ church was “obtained with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Like a medieval knight battling a dragon to rescue the princess, Jesus overcame sin and death on the cross to win those who would be His. The church is His bride, His treasured possession, that He gave Himself for. He died for His greatest love!
II. Hebrews 13:7-17. Jesus obtained His bride with His blood, but He has gone to prepare a place for her (John 14:1-3), and entrusted her to shepherds. Speaking to those same elders, Paul states that they are to “care for the church” (Acts 20:28). Like my dad trusted me to care for my mother while he was away, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16) entrusts His greatest love with shepherds under Him.
III. Revelation 19:7-8. Every bride needs to make herself ready for her wedding day! The church is no exception. When the bells ring, it is not time to roll out of bed. Knowing that our Knight, our King of Kings, has shed His blood for us to rescue us from such a foe (Revelation 5:9-14), we must don our fine linen (righteous acts) and be eagerly waiting for Him when He returns for us (Hebrews 9:28).
Are you by obedience and repentance making yourself ready for when the groom comes for His bride?