The Bride of Christ

In ancient Hebrew custom, a man would come to the house of the one he wants to propose marriage. If the woman accepts, then she’s considered his bride, even though they haven’t held the wedding ceremony yet.

After the proposal is accepted, the bridegroom leaves his bride in her family’s house while he goes to prepare a home for them. Usually, this means adding a room onto his father’s house. When the addition to his father’s house is done, the bridegroom’s father inspects it and decides whether it’s good enough. If it is, he tells his son to go get his bride.

I love how so many of the ancient practices and laws of the Hebrews (Jews) are a reflection or a shadow of how Jesus will interact with his bride (the church).

Just like the Hebrew custom of marriage, Jesus came to where we live and proposed to us. If we believe He is who He claims to be and we accept Him as the Lord of our lives, then we become His bride. As a guarantee of His commitment to us, He gives us the ultimate engagement gift: the Holy Spirit.

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:15-17

Jesus has gone away for a short time to prepare a place for his bride, the church.

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
John 14:2-3

He will return for us at a time that only His Father knows.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Matthew 24:36

Is there any doubt that the place He’s preparing for us is more glorious than we can possibly imagine?

You know, in this life a bride makes herself as beautiful as she can possibly be for her wedding day. But Jesus doesn't just look at our outside appearance. He looks at the heart and the way we live our lives. We don't know when Jesus will return for us, so we need to live as if Jesus could return at any moment.

Will you be ready when the bridegroom, Jesus comes to take you home?

God bless,
Daniel

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