In all honesty, I adore being a bridesmaid. And it is not that I take great pleasure in last minute errands, in wrapping gifts, cleaning house, and wrestling with itty bitty ribbons that must be strung through programs. It is rather that, in this, I am given an opportunity to show my love by service, to quietly move behind the scenes running errands and making preparations that the bride might be ready, might be able to rejoice fully with her love and not be distracted or worried. It is a chance to both serve and rejoice with the ones I love. This is the picture that Christ paints in Matthew 25.

Most are familiar with the picture of the Bride of Christ, his church, and He being the bridegroom. Christ also used the analogy of a wedding ceremony, where we do not play the actual role of the bride, but rather that of the bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13). In this parable, our love for the bride and groom, our true heart, is manifested and displayed in our actions. Read Matthew 25:1-13.

the bridesmaids

In a Jewish wedding ceremony, the bridesmaids played two roles-to attend the bride, and to light the bridegroom into the home. It was customary for the bride to wait for the bridegroom in the home, while the bridegroom prepared for the marriage ceremony. He would arrive at an unannounced time, usually at some point in the night. Upon his arrival, the bridesmaids would light their lamps and line the walk to the house entrance, as both an honor and a service to the bridegroom. Carrying their lamps out at his arrival was the chief concern, their utmost duty.

Christ paints a picture of two types of bridesmaids, the wise and the foolish. The wise are prepared, and though the bridegroom tarries, they are equipped to last the night and honor the groom by serving him well. The foolish are not. Matthew Henry likens the foolish bridesmaid to the hypocrite, the one who professes to know Christ, but only outwardly looks the part. The foolish bridesmaid, when realizing the bridegroom has come and is unprepared, seeks help from the wise, but cannot share in her work. It is a picture of the one who comes to the realization that Christ has come, yet their life is not submitted to Him, it does not honor Him, and seeking last-minute, quick refinement does not work. Ultimately the foolish bridesmaids miss the wedding ceremony and celebration, the Bridegroom turns them away in the end. Whereas the wise bridesmaid, though the bridegroom is late in coming, has a heart to maintain and endure through the night. She has readied herself for His arrival, is able to share in His joy, both celebrating and honoring Him. It is a beautiful picture that both service and duty are performed with happiness and joy because of the great love for the bridegroom, the chance to share in His happiness, and the desire to make Him great, to bring Him glory.

the bridegroom

In his parable, the bridegroom comes to claim his bride at a very late hour, much later than expected. And indeed, this is often the case, from our perspective–the Lord rarely moves in our time, but in truth is never early or late, we simply are impatient. He is preparing for his bride and will gladly come to take her as soon as all is ready. Christ himself openly proclaimed that no one knows the day or the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36), but promises that He is going to prepare a place for us, His bride (John 14:2). This story vividly depicts this very process. Psalm 45, one of the prophetic psalms, gives us a deeper look into the Bridegroom King. He is most handsome, mighty, and victorious (verses 2-4). He loves justice and righteousness (verses 4-6), and He is coming to claim His bride (verses 10-11). It is a picture of perfection, beauty, great strength, and deep love. This is the one we are to prepare for, the one we are to wait eagerly for, and the one we rejoice in honoring. And He longs for us to share in His celebration-”with joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king” (Psalm 45:15).

application

Isaiah 29:13 reads, The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” Where is your heart? This is a key point in the passage-the difference between celebrating with wedding party and being turned away, between eternity with your Savior and eternal separation. Do your words match your actions and your heart?

  • Often, even as Christians, we fail to live as our mouths proclaim. What circumstances and situations most often bring about compromise in your life? Why?
  • What “night” (trials, temptations, painful circumstances, etc.) are you facing right now? What is enabling you to endure this night?
  • What motivates the wise bridesmaid?
  • Is there a sense of joy and anticipation when you think of service?
  • How do you view your bridegroom (Christ)? Does this match His description in Psalm 45? Why/why not?
  • How can you cultivate a deeper love and understanding of the coming Bridegroom?