Some wanted to stir up a jealous rivalry between John the Baptist and Jesus. John wouldn’t let that happen. He knew his place was to go before Jesus just like a best man stands beside the groom. The bride was not John’s but belonged to Jesus.
- The bride belongs to the bridegroom.
John 3:29 NIV
Jesus is the bridegroom of His Church—that you and me who have put our faith in Him (and not only us, but all who do so—past, present and future). Think about the implications of what this means that Jesus is our bridegroom.
- Jesus, our bridegroom, did not want to remain single. His greatest desire is to be united with us His bride! Jesus has chosen us to be His very own (see John 15:19).
- Jesus has His Father’s blessing for the bride that He has chosen. Jesus “came from the Father” to do the Father’s will (John 1:14; see also John 6:34, 38; 14:31).
- Christ has fixed His affections on us. We are not deserving of His love for we are all sinners.
- Our bridegroom purified us from our sin. We are better off because we are His bride. All our righteousness is “like filthy rags” but Jesus has cleansed us by His blood and clothed us in His righteousness (Isaiah 64:6; see also Hebrews 9:14, 22; Isaiah 61:10).
- Our bridegroom has wooed us from the enticements of sin and death. Jesus has given us eternal life and made us co-heirs together with Him.
- Jesus has given us His name. Not only does this show that we belong to Him, but with His name comes authority. We will receive whatever we ask for in His name (see John 15:16; 16:23, 24).
- The bridegroom waits patiently for the one He loves. Jesus warns us if our love is misguided and shows us the consequences of being united to this world. He stands patiently at our heart’s door knocking (see Revelation 3:14-22).
Here comes the bride—that’s you and me. Jesus is our bridegroom. What do you think?
1 comment:
Sometimes I get bothered by that concept...of being "the bride of Christ. Or the Church being the Bride of Christ" I think of all the components of the Church and I can't come to terms with being one of many parts of THE BRIDE" I much prefer to think of myself as a child of God, or as a sister to the Lord, or anything but, a part of a Bride, made up of a zillion others....all sitting around at the bridal table claiming to be part of the "marriage to Christ" I just don't care for the concept, and I know that Jesus himself used the analogy, but, he knows my head too, so, maybe, he can accept what I feel about it. Now...if I were given a message from God that I were to be taken up to become the bride of Christ (singularly) you couldn't contain my excitement! But, somehow, being part of what I view as a harem of sorts is not the analogy I am looking for....I hope you can understand this blog.
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