Proverbs 31:28. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
I know it’s the Christmas season, a time when we should be focused on blessing ad praising the Lord Jesus, but today I’d like us stop and consider the Lord Jesus’ blessing and praise for us.
The picture in Provers 31:28 is that of the excellent woman’s children standing up in a public gathering to honor their mother. Like when star basketball player, Kevin Durant, won the NBA’s most valuable player award, in his acceptance speech he looked at his mom and said, “You the real MVP.”
But it’s not just her children that bless her publicly, it is also her husband. He praises her. Again, this is not praise behind closed doors. This is public praise in front of an assembly. This husband lets everyone know how much he loves and honors his bride. She is an excellent wife and he wants everyone to know it.
We’ve said in past devotionals that we can see in Proverbs 31 not only the qualities of a wise individual woman, but also what are and should be the qualities of the church. The Church is the bride of Christ. The Church is the excellent woman. The Church lives by and for the good of her husband, Jesus. The Church provides for the household of God and lifts up the poor and needy. The Church is clothed in the royal and priestly robes of Christ. The Church makes her husband, Jesus, known in the gates. The Church laughs at the time to come, for her future is secure. The Church teaches the wisdom and kindness of God. The Church works with zeal and diligence knowing that Christ will return for his bride very soon.
What is Jesus’ response to his strong and beautiful bride? He rises up and praises her. And by her I mean you and me.
I wonder if sometimes we believe that Jesus is in Heaven just to defend us or even excuse us before God. Is the mediatorial work of Christ one of simply covering up our constant mistakes? Does he stand between us and God, eternally blocking the Father’s eyes from really seeing us? Or, does he rise up and call us blessed? Does he stand on Heavenly Mount Zion, before the saints and angels, in front of the Father and praise us as his beloved?
Jesus praising us? I know it probably sounds wrong to some degree, but consider Peter’s words:
1 Peter 1:6-7. 6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Our genuine faith results in praise and glory and honor in the great assembly at the return of Christ.
Jesus himself spoke in parable of praising his servants at his return.
Matthew 25:21: His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy”.
How much more will Jesus want to praise not only his faithful servants, but his faithful bride. The love of his life. The lives he has joined to his own in mystical union. Take heart Christian, the day is coming when not only will we rise up to call Jesus blessed, but he will rise up to call us blessed and worthy of praise as well. All by his grace.
You: Can you imagine the day when Jesus will praise, honor, and glorify your faith?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ makes us praiseworthy?
Christ in you: How can you rise up and praise the church (other believers) today?
Pray: Jesus, it’s a bit hard for me to think about you praising me and your church, but then I remember that it’s all from your grace. May I rise up today and call you blessed for your mercy. Amen.
To Live is Christ 