The Story of the Vile Man Marrying the Beauty: Part II

If you didn't read the story, click here to make sure you read the story. If we were honest with ourselves on what we would desire the father to say to his son-in-law, it would be some sort of punishment. Most likely, if we were the father, we would desire the son to die. If not death, something pretty harsh.

If you haven't noticed already, we are the son-in-law and the wife is a representation of Jesus. I do understand that the Jesus is called the bridegroom and not the bride in the Bible, so please know that this isn't meant to be theologically correct 100% through and through. But, with our culture, it is easier to see and cherish a beautiful wife than a handsome husband, so this is why I chose this. Plus, I am a man, so it is easier to equate it in these terms when making comparisons.

But, the fact is, when we cherish anything over Jesus, we are like a man who leaves the most beautiful gift ever given him to chase after whores, who bring nothing but pain. If we were honest, and it is easier to see it in story form, we deserve a harsh punishment for doing so. The reality though, is that the Father, instead of punishing us, gives us grace if we believe in Him (although punishment by death comes for those who don't believe in Jesus' atoning death and resurrection and don't follow Him). We don't deserve this. We have done nothing but wander from his side and we will continue to do for the rest of our lives.

We are told that Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. We are told that the Just died for the unjust. That he exchanged his perfection, for our vile self serving sin. He continues to ravish us with his grace over and over and merely asks for us to come home and trust in his provision instead of what the world offers, which includes us.

So, although we deserve death, God had his Son die in our place so that we could live. In the story, it would be that the wife would die for the husband's transgressions. Think of that. Think of what your response would have been if the father said, "because of your transgressions, my daughter will die in your place and save your life." What would your response be as the son/husband?

The grace that is given to us is radical. The grace that is given to us is unfair. Because, we should be dying, not the Son of God. The husband in the story should die, not the wife.

May we understand the grace of God more fully as we seek out his glory in this life and the life to come.