By Matthew Castro
I was watching a segment of James Corden's Late Late Night Show on Youtube this morning (video here). He was talking about his experience at the Royal Wedding, which he and his wife were invited to attend. I love James Corden. He is a funny guy, and I like that CBS has added some British humor to the weekly slate of late night American comedy shows. I was introduced to James Corden, when he played in two episodes as the chunky flatmate (roommate for you non-Anglophiles) of Matt Smith's Doctor Who. I promise this article is not a James Corden profile.
James Corden described the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with such beautiful language. He reminisced on his show, "I’ve known Prince Harry about seven years now, and it was wonderful. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I’ve ever been to . . . It was happy, and it was joyous, it was uplifting . . . Elton was there; he performed some songs in the afternoon. George Clooney was there, so congratulations, Meghan and Harry, on your new Nespresso machine."
He later added, "It was the most wonderful and inclusive service, it really was. I was proud to be British on that day. It was a modern, forward-thinking couple having the exact ceremony that they wanted and they brought Britain and the world together for a happy occasion. I was so happy to be there.”
While watching him explain his experience at the wedding, I was filled with sadness. Many around the world look to a wedding as the event that brought them joy. They saw Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding as the example to the world of inclusion and togetherness. Yet, the metaphor of marriage illustrates the love of Christ for His Church. The majesty of Christ Jesus laying his life down for His Bride the Church. And as the world celebrated the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, many around the world were ignorant of the gospel picture. They are ignorant also of the eternal joy that Christ offers through his life, death, and resurrection.
Even the comment about the inclusiveness of the ceremony expresses the majesty of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bride of Christ, his church, is represented with all the nations of the world. The multi-cultural Church joined to Christ Jesus. He brings nations together, and accepts them as his own. The Royal Wedding brought people together for a moment. Jesus Christ brings the world together for everlasting to everlasting.
I have the opportunity in June to perform two wedding ceremonies. One of the recurring moments in the weddings that I officiate is the gospel message. While the Royal Wedding may be more expensive, grander, and historic than the two weddings I officiate next month, the gospel, however, will be more pronounced, and God Almighty will be more celebrated. He deserves all praise not the couple.
Weddings are not about the couple or their love for one another. Rather, a wedding is an activity for the people to witness the gospel being illustrated in a remarkable way. A groom offers his life for his bride, and the bride willingly follows. They illustrate the love of Christ for His Church, when he gave his life for them and the church willingly follows.
Take a moment this week as the Royal Wedding is still relevant and interesting to explain to people that you know about the true meaning of weddings. Explain the gospel picture that all weddings express. May people understand the gospel brings eternal joy to people. May people recognize the inclusiveness nature of the church of Christ Jesus, and be filled with happiness and warmth.