“Will You Marry Me?” – A RevivEE Devotional of Christ’s Love
RevivEE is all about action—helping people know God through His love. But before we can share that love with others, we have to be rooting in it ourselves.
This week, Shawn Wooten, the director of the program, gave us an inspiring devotional that shook me. He reminded us that our faith is more than mission—it’s a love story. God’s love story. And I just had to share with you all.
Cue Taylor Swift’s Love Story—because God’s love for us is as dramatic and passionate as a Shakespearean play (minus the tragedy).
“…As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”
—Isaiah 62:5b
That’s how God sees us—like a young bride on her wedding day. He delights in us. He rejoices over us.
Maybe you’ve experienced that joy in an engagement, or maybe you dream of it one day. Either way, the truth is—you already have it. Your Heavenly Father has chosen you with the same intensity, and even more.
A First-Century Engagement
A friend of Shawn’s once studied in Jerusalem under a rabbi and shared the Jewish marital customs of Jesus’ day:
- The Groomsmen – When a man chose a woman to marry, he gathered three groomsmen to travel to her family’s home and interceed on his behalf.
- The Bride Price – If the parents were intrigued, both families met to determine the bride price and expectations for marriage.
- The Proposal Cup – At the engagement ceremony, the groom lifted a cup of wine saying: “If you will take me as your husband, drink from my cup.” If she accepted, she drank, and they were “pledged” to each other.
- Preparing a Room – Afterward, the groom returned to his father’s house to build a room for them to live in.
- The Burning Lamp – Meanwhile, the bride awaited his return from her parents’ home with her oil lamp burning (a symbol of purity and readiness).
- The Wedding Feast – The groom returned, took his wife home, and a second marriage feast was prepared.
Sound familiar? The parallel to scripture is incredible:
God’s Proposal in Scripture
- The Groomsmen → 2 Corinthians 5:18–20
Just as the groomsmen interceded for the groom, Jesus intercedes for us (vv. 18–19). And now we—those who have been reconciled—are called to be ambassadors, interceding on behalf of others (v. 20). - The Bride Price → 1 Corinthians 7:23
“You were bought at a price.” That price was nothing less than the blood of Jesus. God desired you so deeply, He paid the ultimate cost to claim you as His own. - The Proposal Cup → Matthew 26:27
At the Last Supper, Jesus lifted the cup and offered it: “Drink from it, all of you.” This wasn’t just the first communion—it was a covenant proposal. Mindblowing! - Preparing a Room → John 14:1–4
Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Our Bridegroom is preparing an eternal home for us. One day He will return—not as a stranger, but as the One we are already committed to. - The Burning Lamp → Matthew 25:1–13
Like the wise brides, we must keep our lamps burning—pure, faithful, ready for His return. This also allows us to better understand Mary and Joseph’s engagement. They were betrothed—committed but not yet living together—when Mary became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Imagine! Yet she kept her “lamp burning” when everyone doubted. - The Wedding Feast → Revelation 22:1–4
The love story ends with a feast and a face-to-face reunion: “They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.” This is the wedding day we are waiting for—the day when Jesus returns and the church, His bride, is united with Him forever.
Living as the Beloved
This imagery changes how I see myself. God didn’t just save me out of duty—He pursued me out of love. His proposal was costly. His commitment is eternal.
If you’ve taken the cup, we are already “engaged” to Christ. There is nothing left to earn. No price yet to pay. Your only role now is to remain faithful—to keep our lamps burning until He returns.
And that changes everything.
I’ve never been engaged, but I imagine the joy and confidence that comes with being chosen, faults and all. That kind of love would be all I could talk about.
That’s how Jesus feels about us. His promise is unbreakable. His proposal is eternal. His return is certain.
So here’s my commitment: I will live like a chosen bride. Grateful. Confident. Expectant. Talking about my engagement to Christ everywhere I go.
God has chosen me—and you. He has lifted the cup. He has paid the price. He is preparing a room. And one day soon, He will return for His bride.
Until then, may we keep our lamps burning bright.
