The Bride of Christ
The Bride of Christ
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32
I love the illustrations found in Scripture which describe our relationship to God. None of them can ever completely capture every facet of God’s desire and purpose for us, but each one can contribute uniquely and powerfully to our always incomplete knowledge of God.
Here are a few:
• God is our father and we are his children
• God is a farmer and we are the field
• Jesus is the vine and we are the branches
• God is the foundation and we are the building
• Christ is the head and we are the body
• Jesus is the shepherd and we are the sheep
• God is the king and we are his ambassadors
• Jesus is the Lord and we are his servants
• Christ is the bridegroom and we are the bride…
I suppose there are many more. If you meditate on each relationship you will find that each one provides an intimate picture of God’s provision, care and plan for you.
This past week I’ve been thinking in particular about the last one I listed, Christ is the bridegroom and we are the bride. You see, it was 19 years ago yesterday that Pam and I committed our lives to each other in marriage.
Yep, those fresh young faces in the picture are us!
The same passion and devotion that a bridegroom has for his bride on their wedding day? That’s how Jesus feels about you!
The way that a bride looks in her wedding dress, radiant and beautiful, young and carefree? That is how Jesus looks at you!
The way a bride and groom are attentive to each others, the groom tender and loving, the bride responsive and trusting? That is how Jesus wants to relate to you!
The way the new couple can’t spend enough time together, are unified in heart and mind and always mindful of each other? That is how Jesus wants to walk with you!
In Revelation 2:4 Jesus offers this firm but loving rebuke to his bride, the church in Ephesus. He says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”
Sometimes we settle for a business relationship with God based on duty or mutual self interest. Sometimes we treat him like an acquaintance or distant relative- maybe a rich uncle or something. Sometimes we treat him like our ATM, cosmic vending machine or fire insurance policy. When we return to our “first love” and begin to view God as our devoted bridegroom we access a fullness of relationship that transforms and infuses our life with joy, meaning and passion.