Look into his eyes, sister…
Yes, right into his face not over his head.
*Laughter*
You’re doing that now, right?
Ok, then say this after me – “I … do take thee to be my lawfully wedded husband…”
Sitting and watching, as I witnessed the joining in holy wedlock of this beautiful couple; these were around the words the officiating minister said to this bride.
As I heard those heart-chilling “look at his face while you take this vow”, my mind took a walk to the impact of a look, and what I want to share with you today.
You know, for this young pure bride standing before her groom, this look into his face was a look like no other; it was one she would always remember. It was a look accompanied by a vow; a vow that would change her name, address, status, and a lot about her. It was a vow to give herself wholly to be his wife, and henceforth run off with him into that blissful marriage she had been eagerly anticipating and waiting for, and yes, have some “rest” from the pressures of being “single”.
She wouldn’t have to keep her eyes elsewhere while she made such vow of a lifetime; she had to “look at him”.
Friends, there is a look-at-the-groom that has a status changing, life transforming, blissful impact; and this goes beyond the short time we have here on earth, its impact lasts for all eternity.
This Groom is the most loving man anyone can have. In fact, He did what no other man can do for anybody; He paid the most profound, costly bride price – His own life.
Yes, He gave His very own life so that we could be His bride, and hence have the legal right to His unlimited possessions, and an eternal lifetime of rest and bliss.
But just like that young bride, you need to look, and then vow…
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. [Isaiah 45:22]
The Look!
The world is indeed a market place, with each commodity appealing for attention and buyers.
Peers and friends drawing your attention to look at them, learn from them and be like them.
The media throwing so many pictures, videos and words of various ideas and people – good, bad and evil, pressuring us to pick it up and go with it.
From our lifestyle, to our dressing, relationships, attitude to life, etc, the world wants us to – look at me and copy from me.
But just like a wise person wouldn’t get into the market and pick up just anything, but things that are trusted and tested, so should we.
We have to look away from this noisy world, and look steadfastly at our Saviour, Jesus. He said “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me” (John 14:6).
- To get answers to the questions in your mind – look unto Jesus.
- To receive pardon and freedom from sin – look unto Jesus.
- To get direction in this life’s complex road – look unto Jesus.
- To be delivered from the grip of the devil – look unto Jesus.
- To have peace and true joy in your soul – look unto Jesus.
- For everything and anything… look unto Jesus.
It’s only a look at Him that guarantees an eternal life of rest and bliss. That’s why He said, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The Vow!
Like the bride above, the look was accompanied by a vow; a vow to follow, love and cherish. That vow ushered her into another season of life, one that “saved” her from the season of singleness (not like singleness is a bondage – you get what I mean right?).
The same goes with our look at Jesus. There is a vow that follows that look, and that vow brings salvation to us.
“Look unto me, and be ye saved…” (Isaiah 45:22).
Jesus came to save us – “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
He came to principally save us from sin because:
- We are all born sinners (Romans 3:23)
- The wages (reward) of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
- Sin enslaves and hinders one from success, rest and bliss (Proverbs 28:13)
- Jesus alone can save us from sin (John 1:29)
Just like every other bride, the bride in my story had to openly confess her vow to her groom.
That also goes with our relationship with our heavenly groom. In making that solemn vow, you have to:
- Confess your sins to Him. (Prov 28:13, 1 John 1:9) Sin puts a barrier between us and God, and hinders us from being married to this heavenly Groom.
- Confess Him as Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9). Christ expects and demands that we openly and boldly confess our relationship, dependence and complete belief and trust in Him. Just like no husband will be happy if his wife is ashamed of him, or denies him before her friend; so would Christ be unhappy if we are ashamed to wholly identify with Him before others. Our Groom is the King of kings and Lord of lords! Why would you even be ashamed or afraid to identify with Him?
If you are a child of God, you are a princess; the daughter of the most high God and King.
Be proud of who you are!
If you are not, come to Jesus today. He loves you so much…
So dearest friend, if you want to have an eternal lifetime of bliss and rest –
Look unto Jesus; let Him be your guide and let His word be your life manual.
Vow to live a life free from sin, boldly confess Him as Lord and Saviour, and exalt Him and His word above everything and everyone.
“…For I am God, and there is none else”. (Isaiah 45:22)
I would rather be put to shame for his sake than to be ashamed to identify with him. For I know that he will keep that which I have committed to him against that day.
He is my Lord,and my Savior.
Hmmm! True talk, Sarah! Thanks and God bless you for these words.
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