All of life is redemptive - that is, we can look at very simple, ordinary things and view them redemptively. Because every single one of us is created in the image of the Triune God, we have real points of contact with every single person in a variety situational contexts. It is the ontological nature of all of life to be theological (in other words, we can look at reality and learn about God). And it is the ontological nature of every human to worship when confronted with such revelation.
Case in point: the marriage engagement.
As a pastor in a fairly young church, I have tried to take every opportunity to show how engagements are amazing pictures of the Gospel message proclaimed throughout history. It would not be inappropriate nor impossible to give a Biblical Theology based on the experience either. Here are my basic points as I think through this and as I communicate it to others.
First, the slavery of dating. You couldn't pay me enough money to enter back into the dating scene. I'm not sure how much stress a human being can handle. Does she like me today? Will be be together tomorrow? She picks her nose...crap...should we break up? A thousand things run through the minds of dating couples, most which are answered at a single event. Engagement.
Second, the down payment. The transaction is highly symbolic and meant to bring a load of relief, excitement and rest. The man shows his intent to spend the rest of his life with the woman by giving her a ring - an engagement ring. All of her questions are answered - Does he love me? Yes. Does he accept me? Yes. Do I bring him joy? Yes. But there is more. All of his questions are answered as well as she embraces his gift and places it on her finger. Does she accept my love? Yes. Will she spend all of her days with me? Yes. A similar transaction takes place when Christ gives us His Spirit (Eph 1:13-14).
Third, the wilderness of waiting. After the girl shows off her new ring, the work begins. In excitement, she begins planning while the man begins preparing a home. The busyness of this time, I think, is essential! Idle waiting is often filled with sinful activity. While the clock slowly ticks, our sinful nerves are prone to twitch. My engagement was only five months; but it seemed like eternity. It was exciting but also frustrating. Why? Because the wilderness is a time when we have some but not all. We have the promise but not the consummation. We have the "now" but also the "not yet." Its a time of deeper intimacy; but no sex...yet!
Forth, hoping and obeying. What makes the wilderness endurable? Hope. In just a short time the waiting will be over. Engagements are designed to end. When the hope promised is more glorious than the present reality, we are more inclined and encouraged to practice obedience. When we can see an end to the waiting, we are more willing to wait. But if you take glorious hope away, watch obedience go with it. Imagine an engagement with no honeymoon (no sex) and you will see an engagement with no obedience. See a Christian with no hope and you will see a Christian with no obedience.
Finally, The Day of Consummation. After the waiting is over, life together begins. The honeymoon night is merely a shadow in relation to the glory one will experience in heaven. The glory of marriage makes the engagement period seem small. My engagement period, though long while I was there, was really just a vapor. We look back at that short time and say, "remember when?" And this is what heaven will be like. We will look back and say, "Remember when?" The glory of heaven is worth the obedience and endurance of waiting. Temptations are short lived. The pleasures they offer pale in comparison to the joys and pleasures at the right hand of God.
Christ, our Bridegroom delivered us from the slavery of singleness (alienation from God). He placed the Spirit in our hearts (the ring). He placed the hope before us (the promised consummation). And we eagerly and obediently await His glorious return (the Great Wedding Day).
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