Love and Marriage - Christ Awaits His Bride...

“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ"  (II Corinthians 11:2)

The Apostle Paul  was enamored with Christ and understood the position of trust that had been bestowed on him with regards to His church. He established and nurtured many congregations throughout Asia minor, often referring to them with heartfelt terms of endearment.

Paul also talks extensively about the bride as it relates to the New Testament church. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul exhorts husbands to, “...love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” 

Wedding customs in the Bible centered on two events:  the betrothal and the wedding. 

On the day of the wedding, the bride dressed in white, elaborately embroidered robes, bedecked herself with jewels, and put on a veil. The bridegroom, attended by friends and accompanied by musicians and singers, went to the bride’s house. After receiving her from her parents, and with their blessing, he conducted the whole wedding party back to his own house. On the way other friends of the bride and groom joined the party with much music and dancing. A feast was held at the bridegroom’s house. Later in the evening, the bride’s parents escorted her to the nuptial chamber where the bridegroom was waiting. Festivities often lasted for several days.

In the Jewish marriage contract there were promises the bridegroom would make to his future bride.

The contract also stated the price he would pay to obtain her. If she agreed, the bridegroom would hand her a cup of wine. If she drank from the cup, the marriage was sealed and they became legally married. He would then say to her, “I will not drink of this cup until we are reunited.”  Jesus Himself said in Matthew 26:29, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus performed His first miracle in Cana of Galilee at the wedding of a close relative. 

Jesus was there with His mother, other family members and His disciples (John 2:1-10).  When the servants attending to the feast made it known to His mother that the wine had run out, she in turn approached her son and said, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother then told the servants to do whatever He asked. Jesus did eventually intervene on the host’s behalf and miraculously, the six large water-pots, each containing twenty to thirty gallons of water, became filled with wine. The master of the feast then commended the bridegroom for saving the best wine for the end, unlike most weddings, which served inferior wine at the end of the festivities.

For Believers - the New Covenant represents the marriage covenant that will never be broken.  

The New Covenant was sealed with the precious shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary.  Jesus gathered with the apostles during His last Passover meal, and as He shared with them the cup and bread, it symbolized the sacrifice He would willingly make to redeem mankind.

In the book of Revelation, John, the beloved also wrote about Christ and His bride [the Church]. He writes, “And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready"  Revelation 19:6-9.

So what does a wedding have to do with you and me?

We are the Bride of Christ - the Church.  Individually we are to make ourselves ready for the Bridegroom. We shall be holy and blameless when we stand before Him.  We will not have spot or wrinkle.  Pray that God will prepare us for that day and bring conviction upon His Church for our spirit of indifference and apathy.  Lord Jesus, make us a bride ready for her grand entrance...

Fun Facts:  Why are May and June traditional months for getting married?

It seems in days past that getting married in the late spring had more to do with a bride being "fresh" while the temperatures had not yet reached their summer peak.  Prior to the nineteenth century, daily or weekly bathing was not the norm.  Carrying flowers added a colorful burst and a welcome fragrance for the groom. Additionally, since April frequently brought much precipitation, May and June were dryer months and much cooler than July or August. Thus began the trend of nuptials being held during May and June.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

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Love and Marriage - Christ Awaits His Bride...