THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. 2. THREE THINGS GIVEN

In ancient Jewish culture the groom, after his father has chosen a bride for him, sets off to the bride’s home taking three items with him.

1. BRIDE PRICE

The groom’s father would determine the value that he placed on the bride he had chosen for his son. The higher the value, the more money he would give as the bride price. This would also serve as an expression of the groom’s love for his potential bride.

2. MARRIAGE COVENANT

This was often a written document in which the groom stipulated how he would take care of his bride by providing for her needs. 

3. WINE

The groom would have with him a wine skin with wine. If the woman accepted the proposal she would share the wine with the him. This would signify the beginning of their betrothal. Unlike western cultures, the betrothal was considered to be a binding covenant, and the bride and groom were, in essence, married…committed to each other, although they were not yet living together.

JESUS OFFERS US THREE THINGS

1. HIS BRIDE PRICE

 When we look at John 3:16 we can see the value that the Heavenly Father placed on you and me, as potential brides for His only Son.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life”.

The combined wealth of all the richest nations in this world are not enough to express the Father's and Jesus' love for us. Paul reminded us through his letter to the Corinthian church…”You were bought with a price”!

Jesus paid for us with His very life! What a love!!

2. HIS MARRIAGE COVENANT

I challenge you to read the Scriptures from now on, seeing them from the perspective of Jesus being

our Bridegroom. What wonderful promises He has given to us! The Word of God is Jesus’ marriage covenant to His prospective Bride…expressions of His love and devotion to her, with precious promises to care for, protect, lead and guide her. He even assures us that we can use His Name. There is nothing that Jesus’ bride has need of. Is it any wonder then, that He said in Matthew 6:33 that when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things we need will be given to us?!

3. HE OFFERS US WINE

The Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples is a perfect portrayal of our Bridegroom speaking to His bride.

Here Jesus is telling them that He has already paid their bride price…and ours!

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” – Luke 22:19

Now see the covenant! By accepting the wine the disciples were the first to enter into a marriage covenant with our Lord. 

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” – Luke 22:27-28

Each time we partake of communion (the Lord’s Supper) let us see it as a memorial of our marriage covenant with Christ.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ’s proposal to you? He wants to be your Savior, your Lord and your Bridegroom!

To be continued... 

Next: Part 3 - Separated for a Season