A Jewish wedding in ancient times and may still even today in parts of the world, was unique. I won’t go into total detail but, essentially, the young man would either choose a young woman to be his betrothed, or it could be a planned situation between families. In fact, many marriages took place within the context of closely related families. Next, the bridegroom would meet with the woman’s parents to determine a dowry. This was to pay the family for the loss of the labor of this young lady. That was the payment/price. Typically, he would go away for a year or some designated period of time to prepare a room in his parent’s home or on their property for them to live in when they get married. She would commit to not have a relationship with any other man during this period. Should that happen, the future wedding would be subject to cancellation. And she would be shamed. After the designated wait time, he would return for her hand in marriage. The marriage ceremony would take place. A grand celebration. And the two of them would become one.

Everything in the Bible is about Jesus and his bride, the church. This Jewish marriage ritual points clearly to Christ and God’s plan for eternity. Follow with me. Jesus chose us. We are predestined to be his bride. It might be an individual situation between you and Christ, or it may be that family and friends would have been the people that God used to draw you to himself. And what has Christ done that mirrors this wedding? He paid the price (the dowry) for us with his blood, not with money or property or material goods. He paid it all. A dowry is basically a redemption price. And what more can we say about the price Jesus paid for us.

And where is Jesus now and what did he say to the disciples before he left. He’s now at the right hand of the Father, and he’s going to return. He said I have to go away and prepare a place for you a room for you. If it were not so I would tell you that. “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14.1-2)? And there is a designated time set out in John and Revelation when Jesus will come back for his bride. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself, and where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going” (Vs. 3-4). He is the faithful bridegroom. He’s coming with a new heaven, a new earth and a new Jerusalem. (Rev. 21) This is the place where we will dwell with him and his Father for eternity. “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22.7).

And what about the banquet that will be in heaven. No way to describe it. ‘But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2.9). Read Lk. 14.7-24; parable about the Wedding Feast and Great Banquet.  

And one other thing. As the bride, we are not to betroth ourselves or go after other lovers (idols), but we are to keep ourselves pure, waiting for his return. Living for him and not for ourselves. Anticipating that day when we will see our bridegroom, face-to-face. Glory, allelujah!