Have
you ever wondered why a bride’s dress has a long train? Well, the tradition
started being used in weddings in medieval times. But that practice harkens
back to 700 years before Jesus, to a vision that Isaiah had. A vision of Jesus
in heaven, sitting on his throne, as the King of kings and Lord of lords, at
the end of all time, and for all eternity. Isaiah 6:1 says – In the year
that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up;
and the train of his robe filled the temple.
When kings of that time would hold court, they would wear robes with long trains because they were spectacular, and difficult to maneuver and work in. Wearing a long train meant, “I am the important one here. I don’t work. I am a person of honor and dignity. Others must serve me and wait upon me.” Essentially, the same is said when a bride wears a dress with a long train today.
When the king of one country conquered the king of another country, the conquering king would have some part of that other king’s robe sewn onto his own robe. The more enemies he conquered, the longer the train of his robe became. Isaiah saw a picture of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. He has conquered every enemy. Sin, death, and hell were no match for our conquering King. Isaiah’s vision was also a prophecy that the Messiah would provide a way to have our sins forgiven and live forever with him.
Isaiah 61:10 says – I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. This prophecy was a picture of God’s people coming back into Jerusalem after being in Babylonian captivity. But this is also a picture of our future as Christians.
Jesus took the punishment you deserve. He paid for your sin. You only need to ask for his forgiveness. Then you can see all your troubles in a new light. The light of Christ. You can know our conquering King has made himself ready for his bride. Rather than just focus on the bad, you can look forward to the ultimate good. Our King is in control of all. He can free you from your worry and anxiety and give you peace in these troubled times.
On this earth, all is not well. But all is well in God’s kingdom. That is why we pray, “Thy kingdom, come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” All is well in the kingdom. King Jesus is coming back. And Jesus, the bridegroom of the Church, has given the victory to his bride. And she will wear the royal robe of honor, that train that fills the temple, as his betrothed beloved. At the marriage supper of Jesus and his bride, the Church. Now that is a picture worth celebrating, and remembering.
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