Church
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Mt 9:15 Bridegroom with friends Here Jesus identifies himself as the bridegroom. The Hebrew idiom, "children of the bridegroom," has the meaning of close associates of the groom. Mt 25:1 Christ as bridegroom In the Greek, it is simply "before the bridegroom" ("and bride" is implied by the local custom of the wedding feast). Christ as the bridegroom. Mt 25:10 bridegroom at feast Christ as the bridegroom and the wedding feast as heaven. Mk 2:19-20 Guests of Bridegroom Jesus identifies himself as the bridegroom and the apostles as his guests with whom He will be only temporarily. Lk 5:34-35 Friends of Bridegroom The apostles are the friends of the bridegroom, Jesus. Jn 3:29 Groom's attendant John the Baptist likens himself to a friend attending the groom (not unlike a modern-day best man). Jesus is the bridegroom. Ep 5:23 Church as Christ's wife Every now and then, popular speculation arises regarding the possibility of Jesus being married (to Mary Magdalene, usually). The NT is full of references to Christ as bridegroom. But the bride is the Church, "for Christ loved the Church." For Christ to have married another would make a mockery of his mission, his love, his sacrifice, and scripture. Ep 5:24 Church submits to Christ Church to behave as biblical wife. Ep 5:25 Christ loves Church Showing true love, Christ sacrificed himself for the Church. Always faithful, Christ loves her still. Ep 5:27-28 Church as virginal bride Ep 5:31-32 leave father, unite with wife Paul refers to the sacramental mystery of Holy Matrimony, but explicitly applies it to Christ and His Church. And similarly, Christ left his Father to unite with His Church. Rv 21:2 New Jerusalem as bride New Jerusalem, a metaphor for God's people (church), identified as bride of Christ. Rv 21:9 New Jerusalem as bride New Jerusalem, a metaphor for God's people (church), explicitly called "the wife of the Lamb."
