I had the privilege of joining a royal institution, where I became friends with a remarkable young man; he was the prince of a royal family. From the day I met him, I was fascinated by him; a combination of regality, intellect, goodness and a rare aura of morality. Hailing from a land of prosperity, he was the prominent son of a noble and wise ruler, who was loved by all his citizens, but especially his princely son.

One day he confided in his father and expressed his desire to find a virtuous bride, seeking the father’s guidance. But to his utter surprise, as soon as his father heard it he revealed knowledge of an adversary who would seek to thwart his plans and that it was nearly an impossible dream!! However, the king had a plan and if he was serious, he would need to stick to this blueprint to succeed.

It was not long after the Prince set his sights on a young woman who captivated his heart and from that moment, he realized she was the one he had literally dreamt of! A vision of beauty, grace, and innocence — she was a true embodiment of the qualities he sought. Each day they met, they would stroll and talk, as he showered her with love by favouring her with gifts from flowers, fruit baskets to offering her a lush estate.

Meanwhile, the infamous enemy got knowledge of these meetings and out of fear, jealously thought up plans to prevent the relationship building to marriage. He had previously been a former employee of the royal household and therefore knew well how to hurt this dynasty.

Seizing an opportunity, when the lady was alone as she noticed sight of him, he sought her attention and in befriending her, slowly built a crooked story saying that in truth, the Prince had not been transparent with her nor trustworthy (and getting into deeper discussion with her), he explained how she had no idea she was being played for a fool. Seeing her confusion, he went one step further, overpowering her with his seductive pretentious care, he won her over and compelled her to cut off ties with this noble young man.

Learning about it, my friend was grieved but deeply in love and refused to let his face fall, but remembering the blueprint, he did not accept defeat. In truth, his father knew his son was so noble that such a love did not naturally exist for his son, and that the love of his undeserving bride-to-be was as good as permanently lost. No amount of gifts would have caused her to remain faithful. 

The only way she would be faithful to him, would be if he could literally buy her love. Win her stubborn heart held captive by her own doubts and bound by the enemy, because until then she remained oblivious to her own blindness.

Day and night he secretly watched her under the hold of his enemy, who always had the least regard for her heart, but after trapping her, mistreated, assaulted and trampled over her self-worth. He had shattered her beauty and peace, keeping her in a state of turmoil and anger.

One night, my best friend, came forward to commence his plan and the first thing he did was surrender to the enemy! When she caught sight of him as His loving gaze met hers, she was hardly grateful, but because of her confusion and habit of playing the blame game, she remained angry and cold. 

However, she witnessed a horrific sight – her seducer took hold of him, grabbed and tortured him. Flogged and humiliated, he was slapped and his flesh torn but the prince remained silent yet more determined. While a part of her was in shock and confused with sorrow (another part for some strange reason), seemed to enjoy his suffering and wanted him to be tested more. 

Luke 23:27: “A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.”

Luke 23:35-36: “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.'”

The king had been right, his son needed to make a full ransom – because in truth this perfect prince’s love was matchless and hers was ordinary. He knew that only with the payment of His blood, would she be delivered and start to become like unto Him; the closest match!  

Just moments ago, a Prince who had the aura of nobility and glory, now deliberately willed to stagger through the streets with a broken body.

A soul’s surgery by the divine surgeon. 

His Father’s plan: To allow His sacrificial flesh to eclipse from glory to torn shreds (to physical match), the state her soul had been in. For him to furthermore decline in physical state by being so severed, to ultimately pour out every drop of His noble blood. This would quench her parched wounded soul, bathing it with grace and glory. His body was dragged through the way (of the Cross) and up that same tree of Eden, where she first adulterated her pure relationship with Him, through sin. To that tree, part of His limbs had been smashed with nails, forcing rivers of blood to pour upon her. 

Representing His Father, was His Queen mother, His greatest consolation whose love He felt cradled in, looking at her as He was sighing and dying. Mary’s faithful heart had been a permanent place of love. And then, He once more gazed at her, His beloved bride to be – with tears welling in His heart, wishing too that she would love Him that much. 

The Father knew that for his esteemed son to obtain the extraordinary love of His bride, meant that He Himself would have to provide for it, through His grace which would work melt and mold her heart. And that He would surely do, because He was God Almighty! 

The moment he hung his head down low and died, her stubborn and confused heart (trapped in satan’s trance) finally broke free and she wept bitterly. Striking her breast – her heart had melted as she stood transfixed; deeply touched – her Prince had just died for her.

Luke 23:48 – And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

He had always loved this confused bride and on Good Friday – the marriage covenant was signed in the ink of His blood – between Him and her, to be forever one again! 

My best friend is Jesus – by now you gathered this – and you and I are also the Bride. This is the epic love story of how He loved us to the end and through it, espoused us, to be with Him forever.

Revelation 21:2 – I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Wishing you the Sacred Love of Good Friday and Glorious Blessings of Easter – in Jesus, our Lord. 

Further reading:
Ezekiel 16:8-16

 “‘I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. 10 I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. 11 I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, 12 and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. 14 And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord. 15 “‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. 16 You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty.