I love the simplicity of the Gospel. In a world full of religion and rules and 12 step programs, the Gospel says that only one thing is required; a relationship with Jesus. The message puts it that everything, EVERYTHING, that goes into a life of pleasing God comes through getting to know Jesus. God is a relational God, not a rules God, and His word to us is filled with relational analogies. By far my favourite is when God describes His people as the Bride of Christ. When reading this passage tonight I had an image of a beaming Dad watching on as His son marries the love of His life. Any father who has watched their kids get hitched would identify with this verse. He would say that only one thing is required to please him - love my precious child with all your heart and strength. Dedicate your life to getting to know them deeply and intimately, and learn to love them for who they are, and not for who you want them to be. Jesus came to earth and invited His people to enter into a relationship as intimate and unbreakable as marriage. He died so that it would be possible for Him to love us forever in eternity, and for us to love Him. He died so that when the celebrant calls for anyone who has any reason why these two should not be married to speak, no one can object, because he has paid the price for all our sins! And when Jesus brings his beloved Bride to meet His Dad for the first time, God sees her through the eyes of His Son, perfect, whole and lovely, He requires only one thing from her. Love my son. Love Him for who He is and what He has done, and not for what you can get out of Him. Study Him, learn from Him, listen to Him, and never stop seeking Him. For He is worthy of all our love, and He is more wonderful than we can comprehend.
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