What The Bridegroom Did For His Bride

Those of us who are married would like to think we would sacrifice our very lives for our spouses if necessary. Jesus, our Bridegroom died for us, His Bride. He did so much for His Bride, that it bears a closer look.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:22-32 (KJV)

Here is just a brief list of some of the things our Bridegroom did for His Bride, the church.

• First and foremost, Christ the Bridegroom died for His Bride. All that He suffered He did for His Bride. Christ is now ours and we are His. I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

• Christ’s crown of thorns represents that fact that we were on His mind as He gave His life. He thought of His Bride as He gave His life for Her. And now, the Bride has the mind of Christ.

• Christ carried the cross, signifying that He would carry His Bride and her burdens. By the cross of Christ, we were made dead to sin and alive to Christ.

• Christ’s hands were pierced, pointing to the fact that He would touch and care for His Bride. Now, we can walk hand in hand with our Lord and Bridegroom.

• The Bridegroom’s feet were pierced, speaking of the Bridegroom walking with His Bride through life and throughout eternity. We can now have an intimate love walk with our Bridegroom.

• The Bridegroom took stripes upon His back to heal His Bride. Now we can be healed, healthy, and whole, and this includes a healthy relationship with our Bridegroom.

• Jesus Christ was spit upon and hung naked on the cross, taking our shame and humiliation. He was degraded so the Bride need never be ashamed again. She has been made a pure and righteous Bride by the loving sacrifice of her Bridegroom. We are clothed in robes of righteousness.

• Christ was struck on the head by a rod- while wearing the crown of thorns, thus signifying that the Bridegroom took the abuse meant for the Bride. The Bride is protected by Her Bridegroom.

• The blood of Christ was shed to purchase the Bride. As His Bride, we are paid for, spoken for, and redeemed. We belong to Jesus.

• Christ sacrificed His entire body, His life, for us. There is no greater love, and it was displayed for His Bride. Now, we can totally give ourselves to Him in return.

• Christ’s side was pierced, speaking of the bride always remaining close to Christ, by His side. We have close, intimate love with Jesus, and He will never leave us.

Jesus as our Bridegroom showed His complete and unrelenting love for His Bride. He purchased, saved, and won us. Let us love Him with all that is in us and live for Him daily as we wait for the Bridegroom to come for His Bride.