Initially when I began The Diaries of the Redeemed, it was to not only illustrate what it means to truly walk through life as a Christian but also to display who Christ really is. I hope that through the past six weeks you have seen that being a Christian does not mean being perfect, judgmental or prideful. Being a Christian is filled with trials, struggles, weakness and difficulty. It is a walk not for the faint of heart but rather for the humble and poor in spirit. More importantly, I hope that my articles have painted a clear picture of who Jesus is. I hope that you are able to see the kindness, mercy, patience, love and grace that He offers. Yet as I sit here writing my last article for the Diaries of the Redeemed I am burdened by the possibility that there is still one picture of Jesus that you need to see. Oftentimes when we think of Jesus we see Him as the infant in a manger, the carpenter, the friend of sinners, the teacher, the great High Priest, the King of all creation. While, Jesus is all of those people He is also someone else. Jesus is the Bridegroom and as wedding season comes to a close, just like this article series, I can think of no better topic to talk about.
Since I have taken the responsibility on myself to reveal a clear picture of who Jesus is I think it is extremely important to write about this part of Him. You see when we leave Jesus as the infant, born in a stable we focus on cute-cuddly Jesus and forget that He is God. When we see Him poor, serving sinners, only so He could die on a Cross for us, we are encouraged. We can see Him as Lord and King but can we see Him as the lover of our souls? If you have never heard Jesus referred to as the Bridegroom, it doesn’t shock me so much as it disappoints me. We see God as the lover of our souls in the Old Testament. Two of my favorite images come from the book of Isaiah and Hosea. In Isaiah 62:5 it reads, “as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride so shall your God rejoice over you” and in Hosea 2:19-20, “I will betroth you to me forever, I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness”. God promises before the arrival of Jesus that His love for us is like that between a Bride and a Groom.
Yet more incredible than the prophesies about this matrimonial love is the fulfillment throughout the New Testament. Jesus reminds us to stay awake for the day the Groom returns (Matthew 25). He tells us there will come a time when we will fast because the Bridegroom is not with them (Matthew 9). John the Baptist refers to Himself as the friend of the Bridegroom (John 3). Paul is also clear that Jesus is the Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride (Ephesians 5 and 2 Corinthians 11). There are more places in scripture but I think you get the point. You’re probably thinking okay so Jesus is the Groom and His church is the Bride, so what?
The reason I find this the most compelling yet sadly neglected image of Jesus is because He has chosen to be the lover of our souls. He came down on this earth not just so He could free us from sin and He could be King but so He could be the lover of our souls. He died on a cross to pay the bride price and now is patiently awaiting the day of the great Wedding Feast. You see Christ’s love was never contingent upon your performance. You see I really don’t think as He took the wrath of God 2,000 years ago that He expected you to ever earn His love. I don’t think He is patiently waiting thousands of years to marry His bride so that people can shut others out of the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, I am certain that when Jesus said, “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of life without payment” He meant it. To be honest, I know that His call for each one of us is just that we would love Him back and love the people He has called us to walk alongside.
My hope is that you would ignore the people who have scorned, persecuted, and excluded you. My hope is that you would erase the picture in your mind of a God who repays you what you deserve. My hope is that you would see Jesus for who He really is. A Bridegroom who chose to die for His bride even when she did not deserve it. I hope you see Him as the one who offers life, forgiveness and grace. Not so He can punish, embarrass or shame you. But so He can love you and teach you how to love. He thinks about you. He loves you. He delights in you. So who is Jesus? He is the Bridegroom who died so He could make you His Beloved.
