Till Death Do us Part

When this blog posts I will be on my tenth pilgrimage to Israel. There are so many sights and stories of significance in this incredible land. But the one that continues to amaze me is that of God’s betrothal. It’s hard grasp the depth of this kind of commitment when men and women today swap partners like swapping cars. In the words of Laurie Beth Jones, author of JESUS CEO, “We live in a world where the words ‘till death do us part’ have meaning for only half of the couples who recite them with all the sincerity they can muster.” However, with God they are not mere words. In spite of their idolatry, their blasphemy which led to the eventual crucifixion of His Son, and the continual rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, God remains faithful to them.  He has endlessly betrothed Himself to this people and will do whatever it takes to defend and protect His coveted possession. His love carries the same intensity as that portrayed by Jesus when conversing with the young rich ruler.  Although he knew the wealthy entrepreneur would walk away Mark says “Jesus looked at the young man and looking at him, loved him.” He did not withdraw His love because the young man walked away. Why? He continues to be obsessed with the ceremony.  The thought of “eventually but not now” preoccupies the Contractor of the universe. His commitment is one that is willing to wait until there is a change of mind.  Laurie Beth Jones sums it up like this:

Jesus never slammed a door or burned a bridge.  He said, “Just knock on the door and I’ll open it.”  He meant any time, any place.  He would be there…..No matter how long someone had been gone or what she or he had said on the way out.  He promised to be there. Every door is built with hinges… perhaps for eternal reasons. As a carpenter, Jesus must have built a lot of doors in his Father’s mansion. He knew that doors once shut could again be opened.

In other words His intent could be described with the Motel 6 slogan, “We’ll keep the light on for you.” The same can be said of us. The Jewish people are not the only object of the King’s affection, nor are they the only ones to put a sparkle in His eyes. Israel is favored by covenant, we by grace, which necessitates changing the proverbial vow “Till death do us part”, repeated during the wedding ceremony. Better said, it should be rendered “Till eternity do us part.” That’s commitment!