The Party Host

     My view of meeting Jesus in heaven is still distorted but, at least, evolving. I have gone from thinking I would see him from a distance, ringed by a crowd of "popular kids", to thinking he would be like my pastors--busy running things, but available by appointment, or to chit chat at social events. Now I see Jesus more like a party host. He will greet me at the door, tell me how glad he is to see me, to have a good time, then move on to mingle with other guests. However that view is just another distortion. When we get to the wedding feast, we are not the guests, we are the bride. I have seen the movie "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", but the concept of billions of brides for one Brother is still hard to grasp. 

    Thanks to the wonders of Google, it is easy to research Jewish wedding customs in Biblical times. I found some interesting information, especially about the mikvah bath the bride and groom take separately, prior to the wedding. The mikvah represents spiritual cleansing. That gives me insight into why Jesus said he was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). He did not require spiritual cleansing, but it symbolized his role as our groom, preparing for his wedding. 

    However, googling is not required to find out there is only supposed to be one bride per groom. So how the seating chart, etc. works at that wedding feast I cannot begin to say. No groom thinks of his bride as just another party guest, and Jesus is not just a party host, He is the Lord of Hosts. He who chose me, knows me, died for me, and lives in me, wants more from our relationship than a meet and greet at the party doorway. My heavenly view is still askew.