“30 Pictures of Jesus” 30 Day Planნიმუში

Today we see Jesus as the Bridegroom.

From the very beginning, God designed marriage as a picture of union that brings life. In the garden, Adam and Eve were joined as one flesh so that together they could be fruitful and fill the earth with God’s image (Genesis 2:24). This first marriage pointed to a greater reality: God himself would one day join with his people to fill the world with life and love.

That is why, throughout the Old Testament, God describes Israel as his bride. He rescued her from slavery, clothed her in beauty, and entered into covenant with her. But Israel was unfaithful. Like an adulterous spouse, she chased after false gods, trusting in idols and foreign nations instead of her Lord. Prophets like Hosea called Israel a harlot who had betrayed her marriage vows.

Yet even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, God promised mercy. Through Hosea, God vowed to woo back his wayward bride, to speak tenderly to her, and to betroth her forever in righteousness, justice, and steadfast love (Hosea 2:19–20). God’s love for his bride would outlast her adultery.

This promise is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the Bridegroom who came to win back his unfaithful bride. Unlike Adam, who failed to protect his bride, or Israel, who betrayed her husband, Jesus is the faithful husband who lays down his life for his beloved. On the cross he purchased back his people from their slavery to sin and idolatry. By his Spirit he joins himself to us, making us holy and preparing us for the great wedding feast still to come.

And that future is our hope. Revelation describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, when the Bride—made pure and radiant—will be united forever with her Groom (Revelation 19:6–9). The story that began in Eden with a marriage will end in a marriage, as heaven and earth are joined and God lives with his people in unending love.

This is good news. Jesus does not abandon his bride, even in unfaithfulness. He pursues, redeems, and joins himself to us, so that we might live with him forever in joy.