40 - Connecting w/ God
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 40 | CHRIST, OUR BRIDEGROOM
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 40 | CHRIST, OUR BRIDEGROOM
CHRIST, OUR BRIDEGROOM
Ephesians 5:30-32
“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Weddings are important. At them, we celebrate the marriage of a man and woman as they become husband and wife.
In verse 31 of this section, Paul is quoting from Genesis 2:24 about the husband and wife connecting and become ONE, which we all understand.
But then he talks about this being a “mystery.” The imagery and symbolism here of marriage is expanded to Christ and the body of believers known as the church. The church is comprised of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and have received eternal life.
A few verses earlier, beginning in Ephesians 5:25, we see that Christ is also called the Bridegroom and He has lovingly chosen the church to be His bride. Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so the bride of Christ (we Christians) is separated from her Bridegroom during the church age.
The bride’s (our) responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Christ. At the rapture, the church will be united with the Bridegroom and the official “wedding ceremony” will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Revelation 19:7–9; 21:1-2).
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the connection via the institution of marriage that we enjoy here on earth. And thank You for the deeper, greater mystery that this represents: the relationship between You and us, Your church. Help us to live worthy of that relationship. Amen.
Ephesians 5:30-32
“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Weddings are important. At them, we celebrate the marriage of a man and woman as they become husband and wife.
In verse 31 of this section, Paul is quoting from Genesis 2:24 about the husband and wife connecting and become ONE, which we all understand.
But then he talks about this being a “mystery.” The imagery and symbolism here of marriage is expanded to Christ and the body of believers known as the church. The church is comprised of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and have received eternal life.
A few verses earlier, beginning in Ephesians 5:25, we see that Christ is also called the Bridegroom and He has lovingly chosen the church to be His bride. Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so the bride of Christ (we Christians) is separated from her Bridegroom during the church age.
The bride’s (our) responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Christ. At the rapture, the church will be united with the Bridegroom and the official “wedding ceremony” will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Revelation 19:7–9; 21:1-2).
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the connection via the institution of marriage that we enjoy here on earth. And thank You for the deeper, greater mystery that this represents: the relationship between You and us, Your church. Help us to live worthy of that relationship. Amen.
Posted in Connecting w/ God