Wedding Waiting (Part 1)

Bible Reading: Romans 8:19-25

“This is taking forever, Mom. When will they be back?” Thatcher asked with a groan. “I’m hungry!”

Mom smiled. “The bride and groom will be here soon. Then we can all eat. Why don’t you eat the mints here on the table to hold you over?”

“Why do they give mints at weddings?” Thatcher asked as he popped one into his mouth.

“Well,” Mom said, “the mints remind you that better food is coming. The celebration has started because your cousin Jessica and her new husband, Matt, got married, but it will really get started once they get here and we can all eat.”

As if on cue, Thatcher’s little sister Mae’s stomach growled loudly. They all laughed. “Listen to all that groaning!” said Mom.

“That reminds me of my memory verse,” Thatcher said. “It talks about creation groaning until Jesus comes back.”

“Good thinking, Thatcher,” Mom replied. “That verse is referring to how the whole world is waiting for Jesus to return—just like we’re waiting for the bride and groom to return so we can eat.”

Mae scratched her head. “I don’t get it. How is creation groaning? I don’t hear trees crying when we go for a hike.”

Mom smiled. “We don’t actually hear creation groaning, but we do see lots of things in the world that cause us to groan or cry—things like pain, death, and brokenness. Those things exist because of sin. Sin destroys everything because it goes against our loving and good Creator.”

Mae thought for a moment. “But how is that like mints and wedding food?”

“Well, just like we’re waiting for the bride and groom to come back so we can eat and satisfy our hunger, we’re waiting for Jesus to come back too,” Mom explained. “Until then, we still have to deal with the effects of sin, so things are broken and hard—kind of like these mints. But when Jesus returns, He’ll get rid of all the sin in the world and make everything new.”

“So the mints are like the world now? Kind of good but kind of yucky at the same time?” Thatcher asked.

Mom nodded. “But one day all of creation will be made as wonderful as the delicious wedding food we’re groaning for right now.” – Kandi E. Schultz

How About You?

Are you excited about Jesus coming back? When He returns, He’ll right every wrong and get rid of sin and all its effects. He’ll make everything new, and those who trust in Him will receive new bodies and live with Him forever in a world free from sin and death. If you trust in Jesus, you have a great hope to look forward to. (To learn more, click the blue “Good News” button in the column to the right.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Romans 8:22-23 We know that all creation has been groaning…for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus will make all things new