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
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!!
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?!
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.
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
What a neat concept! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDressed in rags, yet He provided a garment of pure white to cover our nakedness. We were worthless, but to Him we were worthy - in fact so worthy that he gave his most priceless gift to purchase our salvation. Thank you for your beautiful post.
DeleteI so much enjoyed this post as I was visiting from the Linkup today. Your words bring a reminder of what it cost God to buy us as His bride despite our condition and the signs of the covenant given to us when we receive Him.
ReplyDeleteOh I learned something new today! The wine.. this is us remembering our marriage covenant. I really love learning about Jewish culture it really opens up the word so much more! By the way.. I am a new follower via e-mail. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Blessings. Misty.
ReplyDeleteI was blown away by the revelation of the wine also, Misty! Communion has a new depth of meaning for me now.
DeleteYou blessed me with these insights today. I will be sharing this. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeletePlease do, Debbie. It looks like this will be a four or five part series
Deletebeautiful reminder especially the last supper and the wine. I have accepted His betrothal and He is mine. I also accepted my husband's proposal bec he pursued me - not the other way around. next to you at TPThursday! sue@welcomeheart
ReplyDelete