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The Lord’s Supper Is a Rehearsal Dinner

When we partake in communion, we’re practicing for something big.

My wedding rehearsal dinner was, in itself, a joyous experience. I don’t often think back and wish we would have eaten a certain food or gone to some other venue (though I do sometimes wish I had been wearing my beard a bit thicker at the time). In the providence of God, we managed to pull together just the precise blend of friends, family, and food to mark the miraculous union of two into one.

There is one odd bit of wedding culture, however, that I don’t think I ever fully managed to grasp before I experienced my own wedding: how important the rehearsal dinner is to making all that goodness happen. Aside from getting to eat a little more, what is the point of feasting before you feast?

Feasting with the Lamb

The buildup to a wedding is a microcosm of the whole of history. When John the Revelator recorded his vision of the drama of history, one of its key scenes is a wedding celebration.

On that day, the Bride, Christ’s church, will come arrayed in the splendor of spotless holiness to wed her king, and the glory of that festival will be unmatched bliss. The angel (rightly) says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Rev. 19:9)

At that time, the promises of Isaiah 25 will be fulfilled. The prophet foresaw that on the day the Lord swallowed up death forever (Isa. 25:8), he would prepare “a feast of rich food for all peoples, / a banquet of aged wine— / the best of meats and the finest of wines” (25:6).

This is not a party you will want to miss.

Preparing to Feast

No wonder a number of Jesus’ parables have to do with wedding feast faux pas and mishaps. He tells one particularly striking story about 10 young maidens who were waiting for a wedding …

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