Christ Our Bridegroom
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
Ephesians 5:25-27
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready”
Revelation 19:7
All throughout Scripture God describes himself as a kind and loving husband. From beginning to end, it is the story of a marriage. (Isa. 54:5; Hos. 2:16, 19; Ezek.16:8–4, 32; Jer. 21:32; Rev. 19:7). A marriage more stunning, more beautiful than any other. It is the story of a faithful husband to his unfaithful bride.
Out of an overflow of his eternal love for his Son, God created humanity and entered into a covenant relationship with her. She was to be a people for his own possession (1 Peter 2:9)—a bride for his Son (Col 1:16). She was called to love and enjoy him in complete fidelity. She had everything she could ever want or need: life and love, light and laughter. She was free. Happy. The very treasure of all creation.
But instead of trusting in his goodness and reciprocating faithful, loyal love, she grew cold and suspicious. Her love turned inwardly and she chose death over life, darkness over light.
She was exiled from the Garden for no unclean thing can be there. Yet the story of Scripture is not the story of the bride trying to come back to her bridegroom. It is the story of the bridegroom going to her. Pursuing her, loving her, and serving her despite her unfaithfulness.
She became a lover of self. Choosing anything other than the source of all joy and life. Desiring her own pleasure and sin and the accompaniment of other lovers (sin). She had become a prostitute, a slave to her sin, polluted, under a curse, and in desperate need of redemption (Hos. 2:3).
The bridegroom needed to do something for her that she could not do for herself. Her heart needed to be won. How would this happen?
From heaven Christ came and sought her.
The Son of God took on flesh that he might woo and win his unfaithful bride. Putting on her humanity, he lived the life she never could—loving the Lord in complete faithfulness and loyalty. He died an excruciating death in her place to redeem her from the debt of death that she deserved. He was raised to life, conquering death, securing her justification and cleansing and reconciliation. Winning the heart of his bride, the Church, by the power of his Spirit.
The clothes of the prostitute he exchanged for the clothes of a queen—for that is who she is. His love makes her beautiful.
Christ is a husband like no other—the husband all others point to. There is no length he is unwilling to go to care and provide for her. He is a husband who sees a need and meets it. He seeks to out serve her in loyal, generous love. And he is not ashamed to get his hands dirty: There is no diaper too full he will not change, no mess he won’t clear up, no service he will not render her in love. He is fiercely servant hearted. He came not to be served by her but to serve her. Giving, not taking. He is the one who draws the bath after a long day and says, “Put your feet up, my love.” And says to his weary bride, “Cast your cares on me, for I care for you.”
He takes responsibility for her—her debt he makes his debt, his righteousness he gives to her. All her needs are met and she is safe under his generous provision.
He adores her—he has eyes for no one else. His banner over her is love. His heart is hers.
He is devoted to her—not holding back in loving affection. In her sin, he is infinitely compassionate. Not pulling back in distance from her but drawing near in tender devotion. In her worst he gives her his best.
Christ spends himself on her. He sweats for her. He bleeds for her. He dies for her. He gives himself up for her. For he loves her.
And where he goes, she goes also. For he’ll not have heaven without her.
