Throughout Scripture, God often uses marriage imagery to illustrate His relationship with His people. This metaphorical language is especially prominent when describing Christ’s relationship with the church. Several Jewish wedding customs bear strong connections to New Testament teachings about salvation in Christ.
The Betrothal
In Jewish culture, a marriage began with a betrothal – a binding commitment made between the groom and the bride’s father. This betrothal was as legally binding as an actual marriage. Once the familial covenant was made, the couple was considered husband and wife, even though they did not yet live together. The groom would pay the bride price and then depart to prepare a home for his new wife (John 14:2-3). The bride used this time to gather her trousseau and prepare for married life.
This betrothal period has parallels to a believer’s salvation experience. When we place our faith in Christ, we become His betrothed bride (2 Corinthians 11:2). Though we are not yet dwelling with Him, we are covered by His name. We are set apart, covered by His grace, and called to prepare our hearts to meet Him.
The Groom Comes for His Bride
The Jewish groom would return for his bride at an unexpected moment, carrying her away to their new home and the wedding feast. His arrival was preceded by a shout (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Similarly, Jesus will return suddenly to take believers to dwell with Him forever (John 14:3). As we wait for our Groom, we must keep our lamps full and stay alert for His coming (Matthew 25:1-13).
The Ceremony
The Jewish wedding ceremony centered around the husband bringing his wife into his home and covering her with his garment. Rebekah covered herself with her veil when Isaac brought her into Sarah’s tent, indicating she was now under his authority and care (Genesis 24:65). Likewise, Christ presents believers to Himself “as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). As the Bride of Christ, we are clothed in His righteousness alone.
The Marriage Supper
After the ceremony, the Jewish wedding celebration would last for days, even a full week. Guests were provided overflowing quantities of food and drink. In Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, this feast is the “wedding banquet” the bridesmaids are waiting to attend (Matthew 25:1-13). In Revelation 19, we get a glimpse of the “wedding supper of the Lamb.” All believers will partake in this glorious feast with our Groom.
The New Testament writers intentionally applied Jewish wedding imagery to Christ’s relationship with the church. As believers, we await His return for us, His bride. While we wait, we must remain faithful, preparing our hearts and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Though the illustrations are not perfect parallels, the wedding metaphors vividly portray the love Christ has for His people. They remind us of the joyous eternal union we have to look forward to at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
New Covenant as a Marriage Covenant
Beyond just imagery, the New Covenant itself is compared to a marriage covenant. God made a covenant with Israel at Sinai, committing Himself to them as His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). Yet Israel was often unfaithful as God’s metaphorical bride. Through the prophet Hosea, God’s grief over Israel’s spiritual adultery is likened to a betrayed husband (Hosea 2:2).
The New Covenant, however, provides a solution to faithless Israel. Speaking of this new covenant in Christ’s blood, Hebrews 8:8-12 compares it to a fresh marriage contract established with God’s people. Believers are now counted as God’s bride, united with our faithful Groom, Jesus. He will never abandon or betray us.
Church as the Bride of Christ
The imagery of the church as the bride of Christ is developed most fully in Ephesians 5:22-33. As Christ sacrificially loves the church, husbands ought to love their wives in the same manner. As the church submits to Christ, so wives should submit to their husbands. This passage mirrors the biblical portrait of marriage as a covenant reflection of God’s relationship with His people.
The church is “joined” to Christ, just as Eve was presented to Adam as his wife and complementary partner (Genesis 2:22-24, Ephesians 5:31-32). We are called to be faithful to our heavenly Groom, just as God repeatedly summoned Israel to reject idolatry and return to devoted covenant love.
This marriage covenant means believers are blessed with God’s presence and promises forever. We have security, intimacy, and eternal communion with Christ as our loving Bridegroom.
Union with Christ
Several New Testament passages speak of the Christian’s “union” with Christ. Romans 6 discusses how baptism unites us with Jesus in His death and resurrection. We spiritually participate with Christ through this covenant act.
Romans 7 uses a marriage illustration to explain this. Just as death dissolves the marriage bond, we have died to the law through Christ’s death, freeing us to be united with Him alone. United to the living Christ, we can now bear fruit for God (Romans 7:4).
This union with Jesus means He lives within believers through His Spirit. We are joined to Him in an intimate, mysterious way. As His bride, the church is called to faithfulness and holy love for our Bridegroom.
Preparing as a Pure Bride
Christ’s desire is to sanctify the church entirely, making her holy and blameless for Himself (Ephesians 5:25-27). He cleanses us by the washing of water through the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).
This process of sanctification prepares believers to meet Christ. Like a Jewish bride during her betrothal, we are now set apart, declared holy to the Lord. By His grace and strength, we are enabled to pursue greater Christlikeness as we await His return.
Living in purity and obedience brings honor to our covenant relationship with Christ. He has made us clean before God, clothing us in His righteousness. We fulfill our role as His cherished bride through pursuing holiness.
Longing for Christ’s Return
As the bride of Christ, believers cling to the hope of His coming. Though we have not yet seen our Groom face to face, we love Him (1 Peter 1:8). His promised return and the future culmination of all God’s plans gives us patience and encouragement (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
The new Jerusalem is portrayed as a bride adorned for her husband in Revelation 21. As the bride, the church cries out for Christ’s return, waiting to celebrate with Him at the marriage feast. Our eager anticipation reflects our covenant devotion to Him. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Conclusion
Scripture’s marriage metaphors provide beautiful depth to our understanding of the gospel. God relates to His people through a covenant love likened to marriage. Jesus is the faithful, self-sacrificing husband towards the church.
This covenant bond means believers are united to Christ, chosen by grace to bear spiritual fruit with our Groom. We eagerly await His coming when we will dwell face to face with our Beloved forever.
In response to such amazing redeeming love, we submit to Christ’s authority over us, living in holiness and purity by His Spirit. As His cherished bride, we devote ourselves fully to our heavenly Bridegroom.