The Scriptures refer to the people of God as the “bride of Christ,” and to Jesus as our heavenly Bridegroom. The nature of this union is indeed a great mystery, but the role we are to play is not. As Christ’s betrothed, we are to love Him, to submit to Him, and remain pure for Him:
“I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”
The people of Israel were given the same promise of divine matrimony:
“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name.”
And yet, just like the Israelites, we too are possessed of that same sinful proclivity to deny our Husband and commit spiritual adultery:
“Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel.”
Jesus is altogether righteous, and like Joseph would have been justified in writing us a decree of divorce and sending us away. But His self-sacrificial love washes us clean from sin, adorns us with beautiful righteousness, and draws us into an eternal covenant:
“For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.”
Christ loves His bride with such zeal and devotion that our hearts will one day forget every competing affection and seek only Him:
“In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’”
“Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty.”
Thank you, Lord, for betrothing us to Yourself in faithfulness and everlasting love. How we look forward to the great wedding feast that awaits us, the consummation of our eternal union!
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
“As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”