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Behind Closed Doors
In
earthly marriages there is a place of intimacy that two committed
lovers enter into where deep exchanges of love take place in a
private, hidden manner. The song, Behind Closed Doors (Dolly
Parton), speaks of this place where it says, “no one knows what goes
on behind closed doors.”
There is a beautiful truth hidden behind closed doors.
Besides the physical expressions of love and tenderness that are a
part of an earthly marriage, there is something more. There is
something deeper. There is a kind of language, a kind of
relating to one another personally and intimately, reserved for
one’s lover. It transcends the physical and reaches into the
spiritual. It is a depth of relationship that goes deeper than any
other.
A
marital love makes demands on its partner--strong demands. A
marital love requires our all. A marital love cuts deep, it
can hurt, it is not for the weak and the cowardly but for the
strong.
Love hurts, Love scars, Love wounds and mars
Any heart not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud, it holds a lot of rain
Love hurts, Ooo-oo Love hurts
(Nazareth)
When a marital relationship gets through the tough times and matures
into its full expression--words are not enough. The lovers enter into
their own private little world of communication. They gaze deep into
one another’s eyes, saying nothing, but in a sense saying
everything.
There is also an intimacy reserved for each one of us with Christ
alone--individually. A hidden intimacy, that is shared with no
one else. Jesus speaks of this relationship, where He says, “He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna,
and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the
stone which no one knows but he who receives it” (Revelation
2:17).
The
Bible talks about this intimacy where it describes how God speaks to
us through His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even
the depths of God
(I
Corinthians 2:10). And God’s Spirit intercedes for us, (or
communicates to us and for us), with groanings too deep for words
(Romans 8:26). And the Bible says, Deep calls to deep (Psalm
42:7).
Through nature, God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what
has been made (Romans 1:20).
What do we see in our natural relationships here on earth,
that point to a spiritual relationship with God in Heaven? Remember
the Bible teaches the church is the bride of Christ and that there
will be a wedding of some kind between Christ and His bride.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body
(I Corinthians 15:44). It can also be said, “If there is a natural
bridal relationship, there is also a spiritual bridal
relationship.”
What does a spiritual bridal relationship consist of? What does it
look like?
We
know there are certain characteristics that are unique to an earthly
bridal relationship. Most preeminent is the physical joining of a
man and a woman. This takes place in a private place, a secret
place, a bridal chamber. It is not something that is shared in
public. In fact there is a shame connected with any sort of public
display with what is designed by God to be private and holy. It is
designed to be private. It is designed to be holy. It is designed by
God, not by man.
Living in a culture so inundated by sexual excess, it is difficult
to see what God is saying about a heavenly bridal relationship
through an earthly one. But try to imagine how it used to be in our
society. It was very common that when a man and a woman walked up to
the altar on their wedding day, they were both virgins. In many
instances the two may have refrained from any kind of sexual
affection to the opposite sex before marriage out of respect for
their future spouse. So when they finally found the one they wanted
to marry all their love was waiting for just that person. In such a
society the wedding night holds much greater wonder, intrigue, and
mystery to a couple preparing to wed.
Now
take this one step further. The wedding of Christ and His bride
happens only once--just as an earthly wedding happens only once. In
an earthly marriage (especially if we look back at Adam and Eve,
before they knew each other) entering into a bridal
relationship is entering into the unknown. There is something
waiting for the two lovers in the bridal chamber that is designed
for only them to indulge in and no one else. It is a place of
vulnerability and full discloser. It is a place of full union and
the height of pleasure and enjoyment. It is a place of beauty,
holiness, and awe. It is a place neither one has been before.
This is true in an earthly marriage and it is also true for the
marriage of Christ and His church. Remember, Jesus manifests that
part of God (the Son of Man) that interacts with us in our present
context of time.
The
marriage of Christ and His bride is also a one time event. And like
an earthly marriage, it is also a place of full union and full
disclosure. It is where the height of pleasure and enjoyment takes
place. And it is also a place of holiness and awe. Just as we the
church have not been this way before, Jesus has not been this
way before. We will be entering into this bridal relationship, into
God’s bridal chamber, into the unknown, together, for the first
time!
What does God have waiting for us in a bridal relationship with Him?
What has He prepared for our wedding night? What’s He got hidden up
His sleeve?
Earthly relationships have earthly characteristics. An earthly
marriage is sown in weakness . . . sown in dishonor
and is perishable. However, a bridal relationship with the
living God is not. It has heavenly characteristics. It is of honor,
it is raised in glory . . . it is raised in
power, and it is imperishable (I Corinthians 15:42, 43).
Whatever this bridal relationship with God is, it is pointed to by a
marriage relationship of a man and a woman on earth. It is a
relationship that involves things that are hidden, intimate
heart felt groanings expressed with secret languages. And it
includes being given a new name from Jesus--a name known only to Him
and to the one who receives it.
And they shall see His face (Revelation 22:4). Imagine looking
into the face, into the eyes of Jesus, and into His soul. Imagine
diving into the depths of His heart, into the place of bridal
intimacy with God Himself. Imagine entering into a relationship that
is so intimate, so personal that it can only be expressed privately,
alone with Jesus, behind closed doors.
Taken
from Falling in Love with the Prince of Life
©copyright
2009 Michael J. Silberg
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