December 14 To the Bride

John 5:10-13 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” 13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
 
WHEN I began to write on this scripture, I was listening to a song that reflects the wonder of God come to earth. Here are some of the words:
 
“There is a noise. There is a sound. There is a cry from the depths of our hearts. Heaven come down, will not be silenced, can't be contained. The cry of a people, a priesthood, a nation, called by Your name. Out of the darkness, redeemed from the night. Bathed in His glory, reflecting His light. Oh, what a beautiful bride, bearing the goodness, the beautiful mercy of our great I AM. Lover of my soul, glory to the Lord of all.” (“Song of the Beautiful Bride” by Paul Wilbur)
 
   God’s glory broke into Jerusalem, the pool Bethesda and a crippled man’s life. God’s glory made a great noise to command, “Pick up your mat and walk.” The healed man got up to walk. He reflected God’s light of salvation that declared heaven has come down; heaven will not be quiet. The Healer of all diseases, the Husband, came to claim his bride. Indeed, the glory of God shone all around (Luke 2:9a).
   But still, so many were so afraid. “Who told you? Who healed you? How dare it be on the Sabbath?” Why were they so afraid of God’s presence? Why are we this day so afraid of God’s love for us, His bride?
   Yes, our Lord has come to speak in love. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5) At Bethesda, in the beautiful mercy and goodness of the great I AM, salvation’s light had come to replace sin’s darkness. Still, the darkness would fight desperately to snuff the flame.
  
Prayer: I pray, Father, I see and embrace your light. In Jesus’ name, amen