The role of a husband is to be a husbandman to his bride. Like Adam he is called to guard his garden, and his garden is his bride. He has a mandate to watch over, cultivate and nourish his bride so that she bears fruit, fruit that will last. If he is not faithful the serpent will slip in and inject its deadly venom. The good news is that our Bridegroom is faithful; he is “able to keep you from falling and to present you before him as blameless” (Jude 24). Let us put more faith in his keeping power than our efforts at keeping holy. The One who holds the stars in his hand and pours oil into the lampstands is our “Great High Priest.” He will not allow us to be snatched from his hand (John 10).
The Lord’s loving care for his bride in Revelation is seen in the fact that he gives her himself and his Word. His presence is clearly among them; even in their sin, he is walking among the churches. But his presence is not all he gives. He gives her his Word too. His presence without his Word is incomplete. His presence without the revelation of himself through his Word would only cause her to fall. If we are to allow God to keep us, we must make room for his Word. Israel did not make room for the birth of the incarnate Word and consequently in the end (along with the Gentiles) they crucified him. And if we do not make room for Jesus’ Word––because we are too full or too busy––we also will crucify him all over again, even if we do it unwittingly.
Prayer: Jesus, you are a good husbandman and you want to care for the garden of my heart. And moreover, you want to care for your vine, the church. Watch over me today and help me to make room for both your presence and living Word.
Invasion of Light 