For Weddings and a Funeral

Last week was a time of contrasts. On the Wednesday, I buried one of our oldest members. On the Saturday, I was in The Hague marrying B and J, two university students who worshipped at Salem Chapel during their gap years. I wore the same black, three-piece suit for both, as is my custom; a black tie for the first, a silver for the second.

During the inevitable boredom at the airport, I reflected on the contrast between these two rites of passage, and the same clothing I wore to both. The more I pondered, the more I concluded that the two events were quite similar. On face value, this was ludicrous. One was an occasion of sorrow, the other of joy ( I noted several persons weeping at both). One marked a conclusion, the other a beginning; one it was a solemn duty to attend, the other a gladsome privilege. So how were they similar?

Top photo: Mrs M's final 'resting place'; above, the new Mr and Mrs W, and their best man, J. 

Moving in together. The death of a Christian is the occasion upon which he or she ‘moves in’ with the Lord. While bound to Him by love and grace in this world, the pleasures of the Bridegroom’s presence and immediate company are now freely bestowed. No longer must we make do with eyes closed and physical distance, for we shall be with Him, literally receiving His embrace.

A better life. The two new states are vast improvements. Although the bride’s parents may feel sad at ‘losing’ their daughter, she is simply uniting to her husband to make a new family of her own. The departed believer may take leave of his earthly kin, but he goes to join the wider and greater family of the redeemed and glorified. The tearful “Goodbye” from earth is drowned by the roared “Welcome!” of heaven.

Goals fulfilled. No personal relationships ‘begin’ at the wedding. Even if the union has been arranged by parents and the couple have not met before, much work will have gone into the match and great effort into the arrangements. Likewise, the Lord wooed and courted His beloved long before she realised, and began the process of winning and claiming her. When she finally shares a home with Him, it will be the end of a long process, not the start.

A permanent alteration. Finally, things are never again the same. Upon leaving the body, the soul which goes to be with Christ (even ahead of its final, resurrected state) will never return to its old ways, never again have a sinful nature diverting it, never again be troubled by the affairs of a rebellious world. The one who marries is joined to his or her partner, and no longer lives for self or solely for personal pleasure. Married life is makedly different from that which preceded it. 

The suit was the same, and the one who wore it the same, and in certain respects, the two events were the same. I am certainly looking forward to meeting my Betrothed; when I go to meet Him, rejoice with me. 

My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away". Song of Solomon 2:10

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4