#Jesus22 - Daily DevotionalsSample

Jesus, come again!

In the New Testament, there is a beautiful image for the believers, hence the church. It is the image of the bride. Jesus compares Himself to a bridegroom. This metaphor takes on even more meaning when you know the wedding customs of Jesus' time.

In ancient Israel, marriages were arranged. The father chose a bride for his son. After the bride agreed to the choice, the betrothal took place. The groom made a covenant for life with the bride: the bride price was agreed upon. The groom promised to provide for and protect the bride. The two were promised to each other. By drinking together from a wine cup, the marriage was legally valid. It only had to be consummated by marriage. However, this could take quite a while, because first the groom now had to prepare everything in his father's house for the wedding.

The bride had to wait at home for the big day when her groom would finally take her to his home. For the timing of the wedding was only at the discretion of the father of the groom.

The Father (God) chose us. We could only consent and become the bride of Jesus by God's grace. Jesus paid the highest possible bride price for us by dying on the cross. He promised to take care of us and protect us. Through His blood, He has made a covenant with us. We are promised to Him, and now we are eagerly waiting for Him to finally take us home to Himself.

ACTION STEP

In what area of your life do you need Jesus most today? Ask the Holy Spirit to come into this situation with His power, love, and prudence. And then ask Jesus to come again soon. For this use the prayer of the first Christians "Maranatha: Our Lord, come!"