Hello, my name is Wesley and I am a minority in most of my current contexts. I live in a culture that views interracial marriage as an unspoken taboo. I am writing this in order that those around me can hear my resounding rejoice every time I think of interracial marriage. I believe that interracial marriage is a form of foreshadowing of what Jesus’ return will look like and the glory that brings to God.

Unspoken Taboo

I live in the United States and have grown up in church. Sadly, I have grown up in a culture that holds to this unspoken taboo of interracial marriage. When I speak about the culture I grew up in with this affront to the Gospel I do not mean the United States, though it does apply. Rather, I am talking about the white evangelical church. I have met some godly people who have inspired me to think this issue through biblically and have modeled how to live this through. Unfortunately, I have also grown up around those who are godly but hold to this taboo.

I do not have to give the history of slavery or prejudice actions in the United States for you to understand what I am talking about. Many white evangelicals believe it wrong to marry another ethnicity, more predominantly someone black. To be fair, I also know those of other ethnicities who hold to this same taboo against white people. Many people look in quiet disgust while others are verbal and even hostile to this choice of marriage or relationship. Phrases of condemnation usually sound like “they do not know better” or “we do not find this biblical”. I find this troubling for the Church and for the context around me. I believe biblical interracial marriage is a beautiful message of the Gospel to the world.

The Wedding Day

I recently was in one of my favorite weddings I have had the privilege to be a part of. This wedding was a close brother in Christ and his now wife. The day was wonderful and fun! We spent the day enjoying each other’s company and celebrating their covenant marriage to God and each other. During the wedding, I look to my friend, who is Mexican, excited about his bride, who is white, walking down the aisle. While this scene is happening two different families from different cultures are present under the proclamation of the Gospel through marriage. In the crowd, you are also able to see other ethnic groups present through the friendships formed with the groom and bride. The minister, another dear friend of mine, boldly explains this union under the guidance of God and charges them for Gospel proclamation to the world. I have pondered this fun and enjoyable day and cannot help but picture the coming of Jesus.

Paul speaks on marriage in Ephesians 5 where he explains the relationship between the husband and the wife. However, Paul makes a greater statement in verse 32 where he says,

“This mystery is profound, and I am saying it refers to Christ and the Church.” (ESV)

Now that we know this passage refers to Jesus and the Church we can point out a few more references to His coming. Paul says that “a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife” which is a picture of Jesus coming back for His Church. In God’s Word we find this gathering of Jesus’ Bride in Revelation 7:9 stating:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…” (ESV)

 

The Marriage Supper

Jesus is coming back for His interracial bride! Those who Paul alludes to as the Bride of Christ, the Church, are going to be from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Jesus came in order that all people would be redeemed and saved because all are made in the image of God. There is no hierarchy among those made in the image of God and there surely is none disgracefully made in the image of God. A disgust or disagreement of interracial marriage is an affront to the Gospel and an affront to God’s Creation. He made each of us to be ONE people under ONE Savior. I am amazed at the beauty of interracial marriage representing the coming of Jesus for His interracial redeemed bride.

I would challenge you to think about this silent taboo you may hold to and ask you to repent. Jesus is gathering people from all tribes and we WILL rejoice with this multitude saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10). If you have a problem with interracial marriage I believe you are in sin! However, we have a Savior in the business of changing hearts and revealing the true nature of His Kingdom. We long for the coming Marriage Supper and rejoice in the beauty of the Gospel message through every type of marriage which reflects Jesus and His Bride. This is true because one day we will be at the reception singing:

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”

(Revelation 19:6-8, ESV)

Are you a rejoicing guest of the coming interracial marriage of the Savior, or are you a harboring critique?
Source: The Beauty of Interracial Marriage