Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A Bridal Paradigm

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. - Ephesians 5:31-32 (KJV)
Jesus elevated physical existence and circumstances to a new level.

He spoke of "living" water - something like water, but for the soul (John 4:10). With his water you don't get wet but you do get refreshed, in a different way.

Jesus said He was the "Light" of the world. He illuminates reality. It could be said light is simply a physical metaphor for what God does when he come into the human heart.

The Bible uses another physical metaphor, that of being a Bride for Christ.

Our female brethren may have an easier time understanding the metaphor, but not the exclusive rights to it. It has nothing to do with gender or sex like his "living" water has nothing to do with getting wet.

It has everything to do with the relationship and love between the saved and their Saviour. It describes the heartfelt relationship Jesus has towards me (individually and for the Church as a whole). It illustrates the excitement of being sought out and chosen by the real "Mr. Right" - not in us finding him but him finding us(Philippians 3:12b).

If 2nd Timothy 3:16 is to be believed, when it says "All scripture is inspired..." then the mystery of "a man with a maid" (Proverbs 30:19) and the book of the Song of Solomon are physical metaphors of the mystical relationship between the man, Christ Jesus, and the maid, us individually and collectively as the church.

I have heard this but until now it has been dormant; I am awaking to a whole new world!

- Fritz

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