Have you noticed all the grackles pair up at this time of year? Just take a look. You'll find them in pairs, with the male fluttering his wings at the female. He's courting her. He's strutting his stuff, so she will pick him.

It's the same drama with the cardinals each morning. I love to hear their spring greetings, but he's not singing for you or me. He's singing for her. One of our members who lives in the country told me about some tom turkeys he saw yesterday, all puffed up and gobbling near some hens. In Spring, everywhere you look, you see the males of nature courting their girls. 

Jesus courts us in much the same way. Did you know that?

In both Hebrew scripture and the New Testament, he calls himself the Bridegroom who comes for his bride. We are his bride... and he struts his stuff for us! All over the world, there are special services to portray the price he paid for us and the hope he gives us in the resurrection.

It's Easter time - and we get to fall in love with him again as we see and hear his courting. This week, churches everywhere will start the highest week of his courting dance - Holy Week; Palm Sunday, Maunday Thursday, Good Friday with the apex coming on Easter Sunday.  Jesus wants you to know how much he loves you, how worthy he is of your love.

When you see a male grackle strutting and fluttering, you will always see a female right by taking it all in. That's the way Jesus wants you and me to be this week - standing right by him, taking it all in. 

He's our husband and our Lord.

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:5